Zidane: My stars are fit and firing!
Zinedine Zidane sprung a surprise by bringing his whole squad to england ahead of tonight’s game. as always used to be the case, however, there was only one person in Manchester people wanted to talk about. Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for Real against english clubs in the Champions League stands at six goals in eight games. about par for the course for one of the most prolific goalscorers in the modern european game.
asked if Ronaldo and striker Karim Benzema had overcome slight injuries to play tonight, Zidane said: ‘We want them to play and they are fine at the moment. They have recovered well and i think they will be fine.’
For Manchester City, then, there will be no easy route through this semi- final. This will not be Madrid-lite at the etihad Stadium. Zidane’s team are fit, firing and focused.
‘it’s always an honour to be in the semi- final,’ added the Madrid coach. ‘it’s a great competition, one that we love. i am always chilled before these games. i can be intense during the game but i am always relaxed before.
‘We know we can win this (competition), as we did two years ago. The players are focused and concentrated, just like they were in 2014.’
With Barcelona losing at the quarter- final stage, their great Spanish rivals can smell an 11th european triumph. Zidane was diplomatic enough to suggest this semi-final tie begins at 50-50 but, with the second leg to come at the Bernabeu in Madrid on Wednesday week, he will feel his team start as slight favourites.
Sitting beside the great Frenchman at a press conference last night was a great Welshman, Gareth Bale. The former Tottenham player — facing an english team in a competitive game for the first time since his move to Spain in 2013 — suggested confidence was high.
‘it’s always important for us to win major european trophies,’ said Bale. ‘The club are known for it and you feel it as soon as you arrive.
‘We lost the first leg in Wolfsburg last time but we have learned from that. We need to be more patient, we know that, and we will be.
‘it’s great for me to be back even if i haven’t missed the cold weather. i am looking forward to facing a good Manchester City team. They deserve to be here and i’m surprised they haven’t been here sooner (at the semi-final stage).
‘They have come a long way but hopefully we can stop them going any further.’
Zidane and Real may soon face another attempt from Manchester United to lure Bale back to the Barclays Premier League, with executive vice-chairman ed Woodward desperate to bring a big name to United.
With that in mind, it was interesting to hear Zidane’s views on whether fresh riches heading the way of english clubs in the wake of the forthcoming TV deal will make it harder for the big Spanish sides to keep players.
‘Yes, but it’s not only that,’ he said. ‘You have a great league. it is exciting, competitive and passionate. it is not just about money. This is a very attractive league for all players.’