'I felt bad about the late substitution of Ceballos'

Despite Madrid negotiating the tricky encounter against the La Liga outfit, who famously eliminated them from the Copa del Rey a month earlier, all the talk after the game was about the late introduction of Ceballos as the 21-year-old barely had 30 seconds on the field before the full-time whistle was blown - much to the player's and fans' disapproval.

However, Zidane has expressed his regret over the incident, telling reporters: "I felt very bad, I'm very sorry and I told him that. I don't like to introduce a player into the match with 30 seconds left. It happened, but I'm very happy with him. He has not had many minutes, but he's still working".

To hammer home his feelings, the Frenchman also praised the young midfielder: "He's young and has to learn. In Vitoria he did well, I remember the match against Alaves in which he scored two goals. I'm happy with him and he has to keep fighting".

The Madrid manager then turned his attention to their upcoming fixture against Alavas on Saturday, who will not be an easy team to overcome given that their new manager, Aberlardo Fernandez Antuna, has steered them clear of the relegation zone after taking over when the club in last position.

"I think of tomorrow's game, of winning all three points. We know that they have changed their coach and the squad they have. They don't give up but now we are prepared". 

Madrid won the first fixture 2-1 with Ceballos bagging both goals on his first start for the Spanish giants, and could find himself in the starting XI again as Zidane looks to firmly put the substitution incident behind them.