Zidane: "It was a foul by Gudelj; What Monchi said is a little over the top..."

Zinedine Zidane looked back on Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Sevilla. The coach was asked for his thoughts on the criticism from the Sevilla camp for the goal De Jong scored which was subsequently disallowed. He believes referee Martínez Munuera made the correct decision: "It's a foul, they can complain all they want but that's the way it is". As for the comments Monchi made to Movistar, he said: "I think he's gone a bit over the top by saying that"...

Post-match sensations?

We suffered a lot during the first half. We didn't enter the game well. We were lacking a little bit of everything but we improved later on. Pressing high up is our strength. We managed to win the ball back quickly. We started to feel a little more comfortable and in the end, we have to feel happy because we faced a tough rival who can complicate things for you if you allow them to play.

I think it was important for us to be a bit more aggressive, and be constantly on top of Sevilla. We knew that with the ball, we would be much better than without it and we were far more dynamic in the second half. We were able to perform moves likes the one with the backheel from Jovic - things we know how to do. We were much better and more convinced that we could win the ball back in the second half.

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Casemiro bags both goals

Casemiro is a constant surprise...

Now and again he can join the attack, and look for a position where he can have a shot on goal. The second goal surprised me more. Any player can make a difference when they join the attack. Today it was Case and I'm delighted for him.

Sevilla have complained about the VAR decision to rule out De Jong's goal...

I saw the move that led to their first goal and it's clear obstruction. It's a foul by Gudelj. In the second, the ref didn't blow for handball. For him it wasn't handball, but I saw it quite clearly. That's why I never get involved in what happens out on the pitch because some times those decisions go against you and other times, they go in your favour. It's a difficult issue, the refs are the ones who decide. Sevilla can moan all they want, but there's no point in complaining.

Monchi said that had the second goal not been given for Munir's handball, he would have taken Sevilla off the pitch in protest. Do you think the refereeing decision influenced the outcome of the game that much?

I don't think so. The ref only did what he had to do. It was hand ball but he didn't blow for it. So what can I say? I'm not going to get involved in that. It was a complicated game for everyone. The final result reflects what happened out on the pitch.

What Monchi said is his responsibility. It's not for me to say whether he is right or not. At the end of the day it's the referee who decides. What he said seemed a little over the top to me but I am not going to stop Sevilla's Director of Sport from saying what he wants to say.

Bale and James were left out of the squad. In the past, you have said that a player can be training and at the same time, not be available. Is that the case with Bale and James?

Yes. Both of them have had minor problems. Gareth didn't train the other day and that's the reason why he wasn't in the list.