REAL MADRID-LIVERPOOL | ZIDANE
Real Madrid's Zidane talks ahead of Champions League final 2018
Los Blancos' manager spoke at the club's Media Day and covered topics such as the Cristiano versus Salah debate and the hunger of his side to win another title.
Manager Zinedine Zidane appeared before the press on Tuesday at Real Madrid's 'Media day', four days ahead of the Champions League final against Liverpool on Saturday May 26 at the Olympic Stadium, Kiev.
This is your third final. What are you most proud of?
"I don't think just this season, it's been almost three years that we've been together. It is the day to day, what they [the squad] are doing, how they are working, even when we have difficult moments. The effort we put in, the joy, the desire to always try to do things well. There is not just one moment and not only this year."
Do you think Liverpool are more hungry?
"I can't tell you about the opponent. I don't know what they are. What I can say is that we will have the same desire as always. This club is what it is: the same enthusiasm, dedication and desire as always. And nobody can take that away or tell us that we are less hungry than others. No one. We are Madrid and this club is what it is. We always want more and we will give everything to try to do it in the best way."
Are you clear about your first XI?
"Of course, I'm not going to tell you. Some players will not play. We will see which eleven on Saturday."
Well, have you decided on your eleven, even if you won't tell us who?
"I'm not going to tell you anything about the starting line-up, whether I have decided or not."
Madrid and Liverpool are similar teams. What worries you most about them?
"I don't know if we are the same. I don't think we play in the same way as a team. What I fear about this team? All the talk is about the three up front or that they are weaker at the back... No, they deserve to be in the final just like us, they are a close group. Our job, with the backroom staff, is to prepare well for the match, find the opponent's weaknesses and try to hurt them."
Would you swap Cristiano for Salah?
"No, I have Cristiano and I talk about my players."
What type of match do you expect?
"They [Liverpool] have had a great season, in the Champions League and in the [Premier] league. They can cause us problems, we know that. We are not going to be surprised. Nor them with us. We know each other very well."
Throughout the press conference Zidane stressed the idea that his Real Madrid team would be just as hungry as their opponents and that they are taking all necessary steps to be fully prepared for the task in hand.
