There Is No La Liga Without Barcelona – Zidane

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says Gareth Bale must be ready to accept whistles once in a while from the Bernabeu crowd, but claims the winger’s form has not been affected by criticism of his start to the 2016-17 campaign.

Bale was booed as he was taken off early following a poor display in the 2-2 La Liga draw with Valencia before the international break.

“No player is happy when he is whistled,” he said. “But I see [Bale] in good spirits. Not as bad as people say. Gareth is a very important player in the squad, and will do very well this season.

“There can be a game when he does not play well or the result is not what is required, but that is inevitable at Madrid, we cannot avoid that. We must get used to it, and try to win all the games.”

“The best news we have is that we have not had any injury issues [during the international break], apart from something small with Dani Ceballos,” Zidane said. “That is the best news for a coach.”

“Most people believe that the transfer market should close before the games start,” he said. “We should not be changing the team with the season already started. That is my opinion.”

With many in Madrid and Catalonia currently concerned with the issue of Catalan independence, Zidane was asked about the possible consequences for La Liga.

“I do not see a Spanish league without Barcelona,” he said. “That is what I think as a fan of this sport.

I do not know what will happen, it is a difficult debate. I hope we do not have a league without Barcelona. I do not want that.”