ZIDANE: LOSS SPURS US ON

ZINEDINE ZIDANE insists he can handle the mounting pressure at Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants have made a disastrous start to their La Liga campaign and Sunday’s defeat at Girona has left them eight points behind leaders Barcelona.

Real boss Zidane denied that losing 2-1 to newly promoted Girona was his worst result as manager and insisted his side will bounce back against Tottenham.

“When the going gets tough, I think I work my best,” said Zidane. “Life is like this, there are always hard moments, but you have to trust in the way you work and come back stronger.

“I don’t think Girona is the worst match. We all know how football works – sometimes you’re going to lose matches and it’s frustrating, particularly when you are 1-0 up and need to push home that advantage.

“The little moments in that match got away from us and we ended up losing.

“It is important we don’t dwell on it, that we go again and give our all, as we always do to get the right result. Nothing will change our approach when we prepare and are going out to win.

“I always have the same hopes, motivation and work when I go about my job.

“After a defeat, of course, people aren’t happy, but, in some ways, I actually like this.

“I like having the motivation of a big match so we can get back to winning ways. That inspires me.

“Perhaps some think a defeat might leave us down in the dumps, but that is not at all the case.

“We are ready to perform well in this match against great opposition, as is Tottenham Hotspur.”

Real defender Marcelo also admitted he could not explain why they have been so consistent in the Champions League – winning it three times in the last four seasons – yet struggling in La Liga.

He said: “In the

Champions League, we have very high motivation. To win La Liga, you have to perform all year round.

“It is very difficult, playing a match every three days and keeping a high level.”

DETERMINED Zidane was in defiant mood speaking to the media