Real hold no edge over Juve, insists Zidane

Madrid boss keen to play down importance of Cardiff final victory

Zinedine Zidane insists Real Madrid do not hold any psychological edge after their victory over Juventus in last season’s Champions League final.

The two European heavyweights face off in the quarter-finals of this year’s competition with the first leg to be held in Turin tonight.

It will be their first meeting since Real clinched a 4-1 win over Juve in Cardiff last June to clinch back-to-back European Cups.

While the personnel at both sides remains largely the same, Zidane pointed to Real’s domestic struggles as evidence to why they cannot take the Italian champions lightly.

He said on Real’s official website: “This game has nothing to do with what happened 10 months ago. It’s another tie, another match and stage and we have to prepare things well.

“The game is completely different to the Cardiff final. We are not very different, because we are more or less the same players, but since then our season has not been as good as we expected.”

Real lie 13 points off the pace in LaLiga although they are hitting form with 10 wins from their last 11 matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo will return to the starting XI after being rested for Saturday’s 3-0 victory at Las Palmas, where Gareth Bale scored twice.

Head coach Zidane, who as a player moved to Real from Juventus in 2001 for a world record fee, admitted he faces a selection conundrum with only defender Nacho unavailable.

Juventus moved four points clear at the top of Serie A after overcoming AC Milan at the weekend.

Defender Giorgio Chiellini said at a press conference: “It was a crucial match for the league but we now face a completely different test. The atmosphere will be electric.

“We are not out for revenge against Real Madrid. We also have positive memories against the top Champions League teams. If you want to go all the way in this competition, you have to come up against opposition of this calibre.”

Miralem Pjanic and Medhi Benatia are both suspended for the first leg.

In tomorrow night’s other tie, Manchester United’s conquerors Sevilla host Bayern Munich.

Sevilla are without suspended midfielder Ever Banega and defender Sebastien Corchia has a groin injury.

Bayern are without keeper Manuel Neuer, midfielder Kingsley Coman and defender Juan Bernat because of injury.

Picture: Getty. Zinedine Zidane: facing a selection dilemma for tonight.