Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has explained why Isco was left on the bench in their 3-0 loss to bitter rivals FC Barcelona on Saturday afternoon.
Read: Messi Suarez Fire Barca 14 Points Clear Of Real After Clasico Win
Los Blancos fell 14 points behind the Catalan giants following the disappointing loss at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Zidane shocked the public by omitting Isco from the starting line up, with Mateo Kovavic starting in the Spaniard's place while Gareth Bale also started on the bench.
"I have to make decisions. The idea was to keep an eye on Messi, and Mateo did well. We made a decision and that's it," Zidane was quoted as saying by FourFourTwo.
"I'm making decisions as a coach. The decision was Kovacic on the pitch and Isco on the bench at the start. Then, because of how the match went, I was not able to use Isco.
"I had to use Nacho [Fernandez] because of the red card and had to changes left with one player less. That changes the game.
"I'm the coach and it's always going to be like that while I'm here.
"I will not regret anything. If you score in the first half the match is different. I know I will take the criticism, but that's football, and it will not change how I think.
"I make these decisions and I accept what happens."
Having seen the gap to the summit increase as Madrid's defence of their LaLiga crown was dealt a severe blow, Zidane issued a rallying call to his players.
"People might think the league is over, but I do not and neither does [Ernesto Valverde]," he said.
"We will keep doing our work because it has not been a bad year."
Soccer Laduma's Rossella Ricco-Marrai is attending this year's El Clasico thanks to La Liga's offices in Johannesburg. Follow her daily dairy in Fan Park and our social channels.
