After three finals, Zidane already has three victories this season

Posted Tuesday, December 19, 2017 by Marca.com

Following the Club World Cup final victory against Gremio on Saturday, Zinedine Zidane feels as though his Real Madrid team are building towards their best, the win meaning their record in finals in the 2017/18 season is three matches and three trophies.

Whilst the team struggled in the semi final against Al-Jazira, Los Blancos are looking more assured of late, something that can only breed positivity around Valdebebas with the Clasico and Champions League knockout tie with Paris Saint-Germain to come.

"When we start playing at our best, our opponents suffer," he admitted in his post-match press conference.

"The players are key to everything.

"They know exactly when they must perform to their best level."

Many supporters have been left miffed at the team's inability to put forward a credible defence of their LaLiga title this term, however the squad remain focused on usurping Barcelona as well as winning a third successive European title.

Real Madrid are a big-game team, and it's no coincidence that three of their best performances of the season have actually come in the three finals they have played this term.

Barcelona were vanquished with ease in the Supercopa de Espana, Manchester United were swept aside in the UEFA Super Cup whilst Gremio couldn't deal with the quality the Spanish giants possessed.

There are many experienced players within the group that help the club find their best performances in the important matches, with Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo all knowing the difficulty that finals present.

Saturday's match was also the first time this term that the French coach has been able to count on every single member of his squad.

There are no injuries, another factor which adds to the coach's confidence heading into the second half of the season

.Injuries have disrupted the former Juventus midfielder's plans all season long, Gareth Bale has hardly been available whilst defensively there have been further issues.

Without such ailments, Zidane intended to repeat the rotation policy which worked so well last season and had hoped to play the main team in LaLiga matches and then look to rotate others in at other stages.

The Copa del Rey will once again serve as an experimentation for Zidane.