Game strategy: “We have played many times in 4-4-2, but in reality it is 4-4-1-1, with freedom for the midfielder -- today it was Isco and yesterday it was Hazard. We’re lacking players because of injuries. Today Fede [Valverde] has played at 6, who wasn’t with us until now. We have played in many formations in the last few games. The idea is to change things up.”

Thoughts on Bale playing golf during the Madrid-Tottenham game: “I don't know. You are telling me something that has surely happened. I'm here with my players, and I'm not going to comment on that. I hope he trained there. We are here, thinking about the team. ”

Has Bale's attitude bothered you: “Well, we'll see when we get back. I will not prevent someone from doing something. He has to look after his responsibilities. We will see what he has done in Madrid. I will not get into his personal life. But I think he has done training.”

Bale's professionalism: “I will not tell you if it is disrespectful. You are not going to put me in a position that I don't want to be in. I will not answer anything more than that.”

Full screen

Mariano's future: “The same. It's weird because I don't answer many questions, but it's the same. Let's get back [to Madrid], see what happens there, until August 31 anything can happen. I think you are tired of my answers because I am.”

Defensive fragility: “We are going to work to solve it. I will give it my all with my players. I know we are going to move forward, we are going to have a very good season and that's it. Nobody likes to concede three goals, but the positive thing is the victory: we won with five goals, there could have been more and that's it.”

Kubo's role: “There are many youth players who have come with us. Kubo has just arrived in Madrid. His future is as an important player on this team for sure. But the same: let's go back and see what we do, also talking to him. The idea is that it would be good to see Kubo in Castilla and with us, training with us, to see how we fit him in. He is a future player; very young, like Rodrygo, like Vinicius, and you have to go slowly with them.”