"They are different competitions and it could happen, but I am only thinking about the positives and I think everyone will be available for the match against Barcelona. It's strange, but we accept it because there's nothing we can do," Zinedine Zidane said during his press conference.
Alongside his coach, Marcelo spoke about the possibility of a suspension: "Missing 'El Clasico' because of a suspension? It doesn't seem fair to me, the Club World Cup is a prize."
However, the Brazilian fullback ensured that they won't be thinking about 'El Clasico' during the Club World Cup: "We certainly won't be holding back just to make sure we can face Barcelona."
Marcelo was acting as Real Madrid captain and repeated the message emanating from Los Blancos' dressing room: "It's not fair to get punished in La Liga if we get sent off here."
The FIFA regulations which state that any suspensions picked up at the Club World Cup carry forward into domestic leagues may well leave Real Madrid players treading on eggshells during the tournament in Abu Dhabi, ahead of their crucial clash with the La Liga leaders.