Zidane says there's time to catch Barça as he assesses Bale's fitness
The Real Madrid coach isn't worried by Barça's fast start to the season
"We need to perform well and play at full intensity for 90 minutes," he said
Zinedine Zidane says "there's enough time to catch Barcelona" as he prepares his Real Madrid side for the first ever derby at Atletico's Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.
Barça could stretch their advantage at the top to 11 points before kick-off in the Madrid derby at with victory earlier in the day at Leganes.
However, Zidane resisted labeling this weekend's match as a must-win for Real's title ambitions.
"Nothing will change if Barcelona win," said the Frenchman. "We know what we have to do. We need to perform well and play at full intensity for 90 minutes."
Cristiano Ronaldo's profligacy has been a key factor to Real's early season troubles. The Portuguese has just one goal in seven La Liga games so far this season.
However, he should be refreshed after skipping international duty over the past fortnight as he became a father for the fourth time.
Zidane will again have to do without the injured Gareth Bale, but was more optimistic on the Welshman's chances of returning before the end of the year than seemed likely when he was diagnosed with a thigh problem last week.
Bale has been sidelined since September by just the latest in a series of injury setbacks that have stalled his Madrid career.
"I feel sorry for him because he wants to be fit, to help the team, and he is the first one to be annoyed by it," said Zidane.
"It is just a matter of days and hopefully next week he will be fully recovered and fit for the rest of the season."
