Zidane not concerned about elimination

Posted Tuesday, April 12, 2016 by foxsportsasia.com

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane claims the possibility of being knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday is the furthest thing from their minds.

Los Blancos find themselves on the brink of failing to make the semi-finals of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in six seasons after they suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Wolfsburg in their quarter-final first leg in Germany last week.

Real have failed to come back from a first leg defeat in the knockout rounds of the Champions League in their last five attempts, but Zidane is confident they will be able to advance this time around.

“Madrid are never prepared for elimination. Madrid are always thinking about making it to the next round. We always want more. That is why this club won so many European cups,” he said.

“I am not worried. We have to remain calm and think about the task at hand. You always have to be positive. I love challenges like this. It’s a good thing to be facing a difficult task.

“Conceding a goal would further complicate matters, but it could happen. We have to remain focused for the full 90 minutes. It will be easier if we keep a clean sheet, but we just have to play our own game.

“We know that we are capable of scoring goals, but we have to remain careful. We need balance. We must defend well and cannot afford to only think about attacking. We have to match their intensity.

“Real Madrid have had some extraordinary comebacks in the past. Tuesday might be the most important match of the season. But I am not feeling extra pressure. I feel the same pressure as always.”