Zidane won’t park the bus
REAL MADRID head coach Zinedine Zidane says his players have no intention of sitting on their 3-0 lead over city rivals Atletico tonight when they look to reach the Champions League final.
A hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu last week means the holders are very much in the driving seat.
Nevertheless, Zidane maintains his side have to head into the game with the same mindset.
“Our idea doesn’t change and our way of playing is always to give our best,” he said.
“The message to the players is to continue on the path that we are on and give everything out on the field. We are not going to change how we play.”
No side has recovered from a two-goal deficit in the semi-finals, but it is sure to be an emotionally charged atmosphere in what will be the last European tie at Atletico’s intimidating Vicente Calderon home before they move.
Zidane will not let any talk of a Vicente Calderon swansong cloud the thinking of his team, who have scored in 60 consecutive games.
“The players and I are thinking only about the game,” he said.
“Atletico will have their weapons and we have to try to continue on our path, which has got us to where we are. We have to give our all from the first minute.
“The injustice would be to not do our best to get to where we are.
“After nine months, the players work every day with incredible professionalism, but you have to show it in the games.
“We are fortunate to be able to show that we are doing well and we must continue to do so.”
Atletico coach Diego Simeone will be looking for a repeat of the 4-0 home La Liga win over Real in February 2015 as they aim to produce the most unlikely of turnarounds against a side who came out on top in last season’s Champions League and in 2014.
Atletico midfielder Saul Niguez believes patience will be key.
“We have to give everything for the fans so that they can always be proud,” he said.
“The first objective is not to go crazy – it is a very complicated game and is going to be difficult, so we have to go step by step.
“Scoring a goal in the first half would give us a lot of strength and our fans can make Real very nervous.”