Is Zidane to blame or not? Real Madrid boss reacts to Jovic's new form

Jovic’s impressive second debut for Eintracht raised questions once more of Zidane after the striker’s Real Madrid struggles.

Zinedine Zidane insists ‘the coach is not to blame’ for Luka Jovic struggling to make his mark in a squad as competitive as Real Madrid’s.

The 23-year-old scored twice in a 28-minute cameo for his second debut at Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend in a 3-1 win over Schalke. Incidentally, those two goals matched his tally for Real Madrid after 32 appearances.

Jovic’s brilliant substitute appearance in Germany offered fans a reminder of his capabilities after a year and a half on the bench under Zidane, who only started him three times this season before sanctioning his loan move in January.

Fellow young stars Achraf Hakimi and Sergio Reguilon have also enjoyed success outside the club after failing to convince Zidane.

“Madrid is difficult, I’ve experienced it as a player, and what Luka has done is go and play,” said the Real Madrid boss in a pre-match conference ahead of the Copa del Rey tie with Alcoyano on Wednesday.

“I think it has been a good option to buy Luka and I am happy for him, and [I hope] for him to do the same one day in Madrid. But inside and outside [the club] it’s different.

“He has a future, and he can show it at Madrid, and it’s the same for everyone. Here there is always a very strong competition, but the coach is not to blame.”