Zinedine Zidane took a risk by resting the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos for Real Madrid’s trip to Leganes on Wednesday night.Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, meanwhile, both started the match on the substitutes’ bench.While Los Blancos may have had a two-point lead over second-placed Barcelona, plus a game in hand, defeat at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque obviously would have been a major setback.Zidane, keen to rest his stars ahead of the forthcoming Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid on Saturday and the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena five days later, instead handed opportunities to a host of fringe players including Lucas Vazquez, Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez.James responded by scoring the opening goal in the 15th minute. Morata then helped himself to a brace before Leganes responded with two goals before half-time.Morata completed his hat-trick shortly after the break, wrapping up the three points for Zidane’s men in the process, with the assist coming from James.

James reacted badly to being substituted

The Colombia international clearly wanted to start and finish the match, judging by his angry reaction to being subbed off in the 72nd minute for Isco.

The 25-year-old, who has been linked with a summer transfer away from the Bernabeu, was filmed punching the dugout in frustration after taking his seat.

The Spanish press have now revealed that James uttered something rather controversial about Zidane under his breath as he walked off the pitch.

According to Deportes Cuatro - and brought to our attention by Marca - the South American said: "Motherf*****r doesn't even play me the whole match.”

So, now we know for sure that James was angry with Zidane, who was forced to admit that he had no problem with the left-footed playmaker after the game.

Zidane: I don't have a problem with James

"I have not spoken with him, it is normal that a player wants to play the full 90 minutes," the Frenchman said in his post-match press conference. "These are things that happen and that's it. He played well and I am pleased with that. I don't have anything against James, quite the opposite.

"It is true that he isn't on the pitch as much, but he is offensive and works hard."

Despite his eye-catching performance against Leganes, it’s safe to assume James will be back on the bench for the games against Atletico and Bayern.