Napoli vs Real Madrid - Zinedine Zidane coy over line-up for Napoli game

Posted Tuesday, March 07, 2017 by PA

Zinedine Zidane has kept his cards close to his chest on the possibility of starting Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema together against Napoli in the second leg of their Champions League tie.

Los Merengues' vaunted 'BBC' triumvirate are all available to their French manager in Naples but with the Spaniards defending a 3-1 lead from the first leg, a more functional approach could be considered by Zidane.

His side had conceded seven times in three games before a team without the suspended Bale and the injured Ronaldo cruised to a 4-1 success over Eibar at the weekend.

Bale's ban only applies to domestic competitions while Ronaldo has recovered from his minor problem to be named in the squad - raising the question of whether Zidane should roll the dice with the duo and Benzema all in his team.

"Everybody has his own opinion about who should play or not," he said at his pre-match press conference.

"You will see tomorrow who will start. I'm only satisfied to have almost the entire squad available. Am I worried because we are conceding too many goals? No, this is football, I'm not worried.

"Even when we change our playing system, we never have to change our mentality. It does not change much if you play with two or three attackers, the attitude must always be the same."

With a Lorenzo Insigne away goal already to Napoli's credit, a 2-0 home victory at San Paolo would see the Italians progress at the expense of the competition's holders.

It is a venue where Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Chelsea have all lost in recent seasons - though Zidane insists an early goal for the hosts would not ruffle his experienced side.

"I think we had a very good start in Madrid even if Napoli scored first," he added.

"Our reaction after their goal was great. Everybody talks about Napoli trying to start well, but I think you need to play well for the entire game, not only start well. The atmosphere will be incredible but our motivation will be huge and I think we will play a very good game."

Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri has turned up the heat on Tuesday night's opponents by suggesting their status in world football dictates they must advance.

"The pressure is all on Madrid," he claimed.

"They are the world champions, the richest club, the best, so they have to qualify. However, our fans are world champions as well, and all of Europe will see that.

"I don't think fans screaming will cause Madrid real problems. The only thing that can scare a man is to see incredible determination in the eyes of their opponents and that's what I hope our fans will transmit to the players."