The day after the classic was hard for Zinedine Zidane. Not even a year filled with titles with Real Madrid (a Champions League, a Club World Cup, a La Liga, and the UEFA and Spanish Super Cups) prevented the French coach from escaping the criticism from the international press after the loss against Barcelona.
“The only corridor was the one Zidane opened for Barcelona,” said the Spanish newspaper "El Mundo," while "La Gazzetta dello Sport" stated: “Zidane said goodbye to La Liga before opening Christmas presents.” "Daily Mail" affirmed: “Kovacic's plan didn't work and Isco didn't play a single minute.” This is the most questioned moment of ‘Zizou’ as Real Madrid's coach.
"We are down because it's a painful defeat, but at the same time we won't give up, we have to rest well, we have a week, we'll come back stronger, Madrid doesn't give up," said Zidane in the press conference after the match against Barça.
Likewise, the former French national team player added: "Everyone may think that the League is already decided, but I don't think so, and neither does Valverde. We will continue with the work because it hasn't been a bad year."
Zidane decided to place the Croatian Mateo Kovacic in the starting eleven in place of Isco Alarcón, who sat on the bench and wasn't sent in. He lost the clash, and that's one of the major reasons why he is questioned.