Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says star pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will not face Espanyol.

Zidane says both players are out due to illness and injury.

On Ronaldo he explained: “Cristiano will not be travelling with us as he has a sore throat. He will be staying in Madrid. He is simply not ready, we won't be taking risks with anyone and least of all with him."

For Bale, Zizou added: “Gareth took a big knock to the hip so we won't be risking him. The players all want to play, but we're playing every three days, we have a lot of games, and we can't risk such an important player. This is a group, so they are all key components, and when someone has an issue it is better for someone else to play. We always think with a group mentality."