Zidane tries to play down clash between Benzema and Vinicius Jr.

Zidane tries to play down clash between Benzema and Vinicius Jr.

Zidane: Es una final / | Efe

The Real Madrid coach says these incidents happen all the time in football

Zinedine Zidane tried to play down the incident between Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema which marked the 2-2 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach in midweek. 

Benzema was caught on camera telling teammate Ferland Mendy not to pass to Vinicius because the young Brazilian was "playing against us." 

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Saturday's game against Huesca, Zidane said: "The most important thing is that it's been cleared up, that they spoke between themselves. No worries. 

"These things have always happened. A lot gets said on the pitch but it stays there. We're a team and we need to use our energy on other things. It's good that things happen from time to time because it shows we care. They spoke and that's it." 

Pressed on the issue, the French coach added: "There's no problem between them. The opposite. Everyone trained well. The game against Huesca is the important thing now. Everything else has been cleared up. 

"These things happen. You can say something in the heat of the moment to a teammate, not just me, but others as well. It's happened and it will happen again -- it shows the character of the team." 

Asked whether the incident has affected Vinicius, Zidane explained that "he's young and is a Real Madrid player for the present and the future. He's fine. He's a kid that wants to learn, improve... and that's good for the coach and the team. 

"I don't think it will damage Karim's image, either. These things always happen and they stay on the pitch. The problem is that now there are more cameras than before, but it's always happened." 

Berbatov: It's STRANGE 

Meanwhile, former Manchester United striker said it's "strange" and "not good to hear" what Benzema said about his teammates. 

Berbatov told Betfair: "I saw the conversation between Benzema and Mendy about Vinicius, and in football these things happen. You will say to other players 'he's playing bad today, keep the ball away from him', but as a joke or banter, to the players face.

"If that is not the case here, then it is strange, and it's not good to hear it. I was surprised to be honest. This is football, and perhaps there is another issue there now, not all players on the same team love each other.

"I have been in a team where the ball hasn't come to me, and it is frustrating. For Vinicius, he needs to have this talk with his teammates, he needs to scream for the ball more perhaps, and it needs to be resolved.

"Usually players can resolve this issue themselves without a manager, and I would be interested to hear the conversation at the Real Madrid training ground to hear what is said!" 

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