The last two games to arrive to the Champions League final in Cardiff. Real Madrid fans are already nervous for the great semi-finals against the city rivals Atlético Madrid. It will be a derby, but especially a great game between the last two teams to play a final in this competition.
Zinedine Zidane is also looking forward to the game and he has spoken about the rivalry between these two teams: “Tomorrow is not a derby because this is a semi-final but the rivalry is the same. We know which team we are facing… Then we have to do the right things in the game. If we do it, we’ll see what happens”.
According to the French manager, Los Blancos have no advantage: “We are not favourites, this is a semi-final and it’s 50-50. We have to do the maximum to win the match and that’s it. We have to think only in tomorrow’s game and not in the second leg”.
The coach repeated the same idea about not thinking in the next week: “We know how important is this game. We have to think that there is no second leg. Play well from the 1st minute until the end. Our supporters will be with us, like during the weekend against Valencia. They helped the team a lot, it’s a plus and we need them. Beranbéu’s supporters are always a plus for the team”.
Obviously, Zidane didn’t want to give any clue about the line-up or whether Isco will play or not: “I speak with the team because it’s important, but also individually, especially with the people who will play and you tell them exactly what you want”.
Zizou spoke about the importance of keeping a clean sheet, something that it’s not happening recently: “I don’t think we concede goals easily, but it’s true that we concede goals. We don’t have clean sheets like the last year. We spoke about being together, so the rival doesn’t put us in difficulties. But at the same time you can’t avoid it, because the rivals also play. The most important thing for us it’s to do the same, score one goal more than the rival although in Champions League is different. We’ll try to get a clean sheet and score more goals”.
Zidane confirmed that Varane and James Rodríguez are available and he spoke about the difference between last year final: “For sure we’re not worse than last year. If you reach the semi-finals in the Champions League is because you’re doing great. Then, we’ll see what happens, if we arrive to the final or not”.
