Zinedine Zidane has made wholesale changes to his usual Real Madrid XI for Sunday’s Madrid derby against city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Madrid languish 16 points behind league leaders Barcelona and four adrift of Atletico but the Frenchman has made it clear he is prioritising next week’s clash with Juventus.
The Spanish giants hold a 3-0 lead from the first leg of their Champions League clash but Zidane is leaving nothing to chance after dropping the likes of Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema and Isco to the bench against Atletico.
Zidane admitted that Gareth Bale is unhappy in Madrid after falling down the pecking order this season, but the Wales international has been handed a start against Atletico.
Bale has been limited to just 15 starts in the league and is no longer considered first choice for games of significant note. The 28-year-old is expected to drop back to the bench against Juventus next week.
Atletico have gone full strength despite the fact they play Sporting in the Europa League on Thursday but Diego Simeone is keen to secure second spot in the league ahead of Madrid.
Madrid are unbeaten in their last three home matches against Atletico but have only won two of their last six against Simeone’s side at the Bernabeu.
