Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane shrugged off questions after leaving Gareth Bale out of victory over Villarreal.

Zidane said there was nothing sinister about Bale's exclusion from the squad.

Eyebrows were raised as the matchday squad was announced since Bale was not included on the list.

After the match, which Los Blancos won 3-2, Zidane was asked about the snub.

"I've got to pick a squad and that's it," he said.

"Is it a message to him? No, interpret it how you will.

"But I've got to pick a team, there's nothing more to it."