'I didn't want James to leave'

James is currently on a two-year loan at Bayern from Real with a view to a permanent move. It has been almost 10 months since the 26-year-old departed the Spanish capital, but the decision to allow him to leave still rankles with many Madrid fans.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's game, Zidane denied that the former Monaco man's departure was down to a poor relationship between the pair and insisted that he never had a problem with James.

"I didn't want James to leave, he wanted to play more and I understand," he explained.

"I've never had a problem with James, that's just what you all say. It was just he wanted to needed more. This year will be the same - there are players who are on the bench. This is the most difficult part of being coach."

Finally Zidane explained that he rates James as a player and rubbished suggestions the midfielder would be looking to prove something to the Frenchman on Wednesday, saying: "He's going to be motivated because he's a professional footballer and he's going to want to do well, not to prove anything to me. Whoever thinks I'm against James is wrong. He's a great player."