Former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz has praised president Florentino Perez for standing by Zinedine Zidane.

The Frenchman has faced increased scrutiny this season, though his team always seem to pull through during a crisis.

"Zizou has all my support and sympathy," Queiroz told EFE. "He's suffering, like all coaches, of an instability that no one can really explain.

"It's not the same playing or having to comeback at the [Estadio Santiago] Bernabeu with all its fans and having to do it without a crowd now at Valdebebas. It's the same playing home or away now.

"Judging coaches during the pandemic is cruel. Those that are behind don't feel everything that is happening during training and matches.

"For example, Spain's 6-0 win over Germany was very strange... I congratulate Spain, but we have to let it go. Pandemic football isn't normal.

"Well done to Real Madrid and their president, Florentino Perez, for not making emotional decisions and without listening to the man on the street."