Zidane's pre-match comments ahead of Valencia game

Arbeloa: “He's a home-grown player, and that's important. He's a lovely fellah. He has fought for the Real Madrid shirt and everything he has done for this club has been important. He's be with us [tomorrow]. He's very professional, very serious-minded and he's always been like that. He'll play tomorrow and afterwards we'll throw a little party for him if he wants”.

LaLiga: “Being in the title race at this stage is down to the work which all of us have done. It's ben a job well done. We are still fighting for the league and it hasn't been easy. But when you are working ith the quality that we have in this squad, you can achieve things. All of the players are happy with what this club signifies. We have two league games left and tomorrow's is important. We are a point behind and we have to do what we can to win the game”.

Injury list: “It's a problem when you have players out injured. We have three players who won't play tomorrow. We'll see how they are for the next game. We have time to recover all of them before the final. It's inevitable that you're going to suffer injury problems, niggles etc… especially at the end of the season which is what's happened to us. We have a bog squad and all of the players who come in witll respond”.

Full screen

Renewing Arbeloa's contract: “We haven't spoken about that. It's not the moment for that. All that counts right now is tomorrow's game and he's in the list. His case is the same as a lot of players”.

Cristiano: “If he's in good shape he'll play. To me he seems perfect. As for preparing for the final, the best way for us to do that is think about the two league games which are left. The best way for Cristiano to gear up for the final is to play in both of them”.

Your future: “We haven't won anything yet and the idea to do the best we can and take things day by day. We have three games to get through and I am focusing on that. I know the score - I know how things work. After the Atlético game we'll se what needs to be done”.

Benzema: “I don't know. He's ready to play but for how long - I don't know. That depends on hiow he feels in himself. We aren't thinking about the final yet - just the two games that remain and after the 14th we will have time to prepare for the final”.

Are you proud of what you've done during these four months: “I can't change any of it. That's the way it's turned out - life is that way. You go through good times and bad. You always have to work hard to improve. I'm very happy with the work everyone has done - all of the players because they are the ones who have got us this far. And above all the people who come along to watch the games. I am very proud of the players, the staff and the fans. I must have some Spanish in me for all the years I have lived here. I have a special relationship with Spanish people”.

Best moment as a coach? “I'm very happy, thank you. I enjoy what I do It's a difficult job and I'm learning every day. I consider myself to be very fortunate to train this team”.

Silencing the crítics: “I've alays been competitive, I don't want to silence the critics. It has never been easy, when I was a young man it was also a struggle to show others my worthand achieve things and that is what I have been doing. I am very happy with what I do - and for me, you can't put a price on that. Ther's nothing I love more than coming to work every day”.