Real Madrid win their first pre-season game as they defeated Fenerbahce 5-3 in the Audi Cup with Karim Benzema scoring a hattrick. Zinedine Zidane was once again asked about Gareth Bale’s future at the club, specifically about the reports that the Welshman was playing golf while his colleagues were losing to Tottenham on Tuesday.

The coach couldn’t help but smile as he answered questions about the forward: “You’re telling me about something that I’m sure has happened,” he said in the post-match press conference after Real Madrid defeated Fenerbahce 5-3, when asked about the golf story.

“I hope he has been training there. “We’ll see when we get back, we’ll see what he has been doing in Madrid.

“I’m not going to ban him from doing anything. “He stayed in Madrid to train and I believe he has been doing so.”

Zidane was more interested in discussing Los Blancos’ win, their first of pre-season: “Our plan was to change things up, because we needed to,” he said. “We’ve often tried out a 4-4-2, but in reality it is a 4-4-1-1 with freedom for Isco or for Eden Hazard.

“I am sure we’re going to have a really good season. “I am with my players to the death. “I don’t like the fact that we conceded three goals, but we’ll improve.”

The Real Madrid boss was asked about the futures of several players, including Andriy Lunin, Takefusa Kubo and Mariano, but repeatedly insisted that their situations will be analysed when they get back to Madrid.