Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has explained the absences of Marcelo and Isco.

Marcelo has been left out of the last four matches as Ferland Mendy has been on excellent form.

"It is true that he has played less, we know what he can give us," Zidane said of the Brazilian.

"It is true that Ferland has played very well, it is true that [Marcelo] has not played much lately. He is training very well and has to continue what he is doing. It is true that he hasn't had a chance lately but it's not his fault, we'll see what happens later."

Asked about what has changed for their form improvement, Zidane doesn't feel there is a magic formula.

"We are not going to change anything, we know that we have to always be the best, but there is an opponent and sometimes it is difficult to put the opponent in danger all the time," he said.

"But we are good and we can show consistency. For us it has changed nothing."

Isco has been in the spotlight of late, firstly due to making his desire to leave the club known, which has seen him left out of the squad in recent weeks.

"Isco is going to be an important player, it is true that he is not playing much and I am not giving him the opportunity to show the player that he is. I feel sorry for my players and I will never forget what I have experienced with them.

"He has to work hard to get another chance, but what is being said [in the media] I can't respond because we don't control it."