Zidane aims to be first coach to win three in a row
“People can say all they want, but we know that is not real, this is another final.
“We are not the favourites and Liverpool are not the favourites, this is a 50-50 situation and we have to play great to win.
“Real Madrid does not feel like the favourites in the dressing room.”
With a fourth final appearance in five years and three victories over that time to take their tally to 12 there has been some suggestion Real will be complacent against Liverpool, the competition’s top scorers this season with 40 goals.
Real captain Sergio Ramos , however, claims nothing is further from the truth.
“When you find yourself in a place like this we are highly motivated. [There is] great spirit and pride in our team,” he said. “It motivates you to continue to want to win. We want to make history. That is very positive for us.
“We hit the reset button every year and look forward. We don’t look behind us. It is our moment. Another final.” Zidanewasaskedforthesecret of his success as he chases a personal three-in-a-row.
“A lot of hard work and a lot of talent. Definitely a lot of hard work. To reach a final is not easy,” he said.
“This is beautiful. This is my passion, I’ve always been a good competitor, I like to compete and behind all that is a lot of hard work - not only on my part but also the players.
“If you like to compete and want to work hard you can achieve what we are doing. For me this is an entirely normal thing.”
And what of Cristiano Ronaldo, the competition’s all-time leading scorer with 121 goals, who is looking to become only the fifth player to win five European Cups and a fourth with his current club, following in the footsteps of Paco Gento (who won six), Alfredo Di Stefano, Jose Maria Zarraga and AC Milan’s Paolo Maldini?
“He is looking great. You must know he lives to play these matches, this is what his life is all about and what makes him tick,” said Zidane.