Real Madrid Round-Up: Zidane happy Griezmann is fit, Bale picks greatest teammate and more

MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Manager Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid looks on before the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 27, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

We take a look at the key news surround Real Madrid today, ahead of their clash with Atletico Madrid on the weekend.

Bale says Giggs is best player he has played with

Gareth Bale picked compatriot and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs over teammate Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest player he has ever played with.

Speaking about Giggs, the Welshman had this to say:

“For me the greatest player is Ryan Giggs,” Bale said. “He was my hero growing up and is a legend in world football. It also helps he’s a fellow Welshman.”

It would be pretty ironic if Giggs were to come out and say that Ronaldo is the greatest player he has ever played with in the future.

The duo of Ronaldo and Bale is likely to prove too much for Osasuna to handle who are likely to hope to restrict the damage to their goal difference. (Picture Courtesy – AFP/Getty Images)

Zidane happy to face Griezmann

Zinedine Zidane was happy to hear that Antoine Griezmann would be fit for Saturday’s Madrid derby.

Griezmann – who has scored 8 goals in 14 appearances this season – was a doubt after suffering a foot injury in France’s 2-1 win over Sweden last Friday but trained with the team this week and will almost certainly feature in tomorrow’s crunch clash.

About Griezmann, Zidane had this to say:

“For me, it is good to be ready to play tomorrow,” he said at his press conference on Friday.

“I’ll never wish that a player is injured on the opposing team. He is simply an important player for Atletico and I’m happy for him.

“It is true that we have to be very careful against Griezmann, but not only him.”

Atletico Madrid’s French forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Sporting de Gijon at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on September 17, 2016. / AFP / GERARD JULIEN (Photo credit should read GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Benzema ready to face Atletico

Speaking at the same press conference, Zidane also confirmed that Karim Benzema would be fit to play against Atletico tomorrow.

Zidane did stress that this would not change their plan, however, and that he would still work what he has prepared all week:

“Benzema will be included in the list, he’s ready,” said the French coach. “Our game plan will not change depending on who makes the starting XI for us. We know we are facing a tough opponent but we cannot change the way we play,” he added.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 18: Karim Benzema (L) celebrates with his team mate Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid CF after scoring his team’s second goal during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF at the RCDE stadium on September 18, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

 

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