'Its annoying!' - Zidane hits back at Koeman for suggesting referees favour Real Madrid

BetOdds Real Madrid Barcelona Eibar Granada Primera División Real Madrid v Granada

The Blancos have won only two penalties this season, conceding five, leaving the Frenchman annoyed by debate over the Eibar match

Zinedine Zidane was frustrated by Ronald Koeman's complaints about refereeing decisions in Real Madrid's favour, insisting he would never engage in such a debate.

Barcelona coach Koeman said on Monday he could not understand the failure to award a penalty to Eibar late in their 3-1 defeat to Madrid.

Eibar trailed by just a single goal at the time when the ball appeared to strike Sergio Ramos on the arm inside the penalty area.

No spot-kick was given and the on-field decision was not reviewed, a call that Koeman, who also took aim at VAR during his team's Clasico defeat to Madrid in October, claimed nine out of 10 people would disagree with.

The Blaugrana boss told reporters: “For my part, I think it is a penalty, but that is all. The referee and his VAR team decided otherwise, and I respect that.

"But yes, if they ask me then yes, it’s a penalty.”

These comments were relayed to Zidane at a press conference on Tuesday, to which he replied: "It has been annoying because I never get involved with the referees.

"I think the referees are in charge of the game and they do a good job. Like everyone here, they just try to do their job. I never get involved with them. It's a very difficult job.

"What Koeman said I'm not going to get into that. We have an important game tomorrow [against Granada], a very demanding game, and that's the only thing we're thinking about."

In fact, Zidane believes decisions go against Madrid more often than not.

The reigning champions have won just two penalties in La Liga this term, half as many as Barca (four) and well short of Real Sociedad's league-leading seven.

At the other end of the pitch, Madrid have conceded five spot-kicks, trailing only Real Betis (seven) and Real Valladolid (six) in this regard.

"It's true that in every game we are unlucky with penalties, but I'm not too focused on that really," Zidane said ahead of Madrid's midweek clash with Granada at Santiago Bernabeu.

"The only thing we're interested in is tomorrow's game. That's what interests us. It's very important to us. We have to be concentrated.

"The most important thing for us is just to keep doing what we're doing now. We're in very good form and [will] try to win all three points tomorrow."

Zidane was also asked about the news of legendary former goalkeeper Iker Casillas returning to the club as assistant to the general director at the Real Madrid Foundation.

The Frenchman said: "We know the person Iker is, we know what he has done, we know what he means for being a Madridista. I think it's good news for everyone.

"It's his club, the club that's in his heart, and he's going to work and going to continue to do what he knows. I'm very happy for him and for the club. I think it's very good news indeed."

2020-12-22 18:00:05

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