MADRID, July 27 -- Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was left looking for excuses as his side were humiliated 7-3 by local rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions Cup pre-season warm-up game.
The game may have been played in New Jersey, but there was no doubting Atletico's commitment as Diego Simeone's side tore into Real Madrid.
Atletico were 2-0 up in just eight minutes and brushed Real Madrid aside, leading by 6-0, with Diego Costa scoring four goals for Atletico, before Nacho netted a consolation goal for Zidane's side.
It may have happened four weeks before the start of the season, but Zidane's side have so far lost to Bayern Munich, drawn with Arsenal and now been made to look ridiculous by their neighbors.
"What happened is that we started the game very badly. It was a high-level game and we started badly and we didn't say to ourselves we could turn things around," said Zidane, who admitted his players had "never been in the game."
"We know we have conceded seven goals and that can't happen, but the players all know that and they are disappointed. However, we don't need to worry too much about it. It's a press season game," insisted the Real Madrid coach.
Zidane was asked about Gareth Bale, who played 30 minutes despite reports in Spain saying he was close to a move to Chinese club, Jiangsu Suning.
"I don't know what is going to happen. He is here at the moment, he played and we will see what happens," he commented about the forward he had previously said should leave the club "for everyone's benefit."