Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid is ready for PSG
By Ben Sundock
Zinedine Zidane was full of praise and confidence following Real Madrid‘s 5-2 win over Real Sociedad Saturday. Here is what the manager had to say regarding the huge win and looking ahead to Wednesday’s big match.
All quotes come courtesy of the Real Madrid official website.
Opening Statement
"Scoring early helped us. Throughout that first half we played with great intensity, determination and will, we got a great result to take into the break. It was 45 minutes at a high level, good play, chances and goals. We can be satisfied with the result. We have prepared well for Wednesday. Now we have to rest up, and tomorrow turn our attentions to the Champions League. We are all raring to go on Wednesday and that is our main concern.”“Sure, we made some errors in the second half, but we can correct that. We’re going into a knockout tie and we have to protect our goal. As always, I’m focussing on the positives: The way the game started and the five goals. We know that against PSG things will be different and we’ll have to show our mettle.”"
Looking ahead to the Champions League
“We need to remain centered on the Champions League game this Wednesday. We know there is a great challenge lying in wait, it is of paramount importance to us. It will be a different game in a different competition and we will have extra motivation. we will be geared up for it.”
“I’m pleased with Marcelo’s performance. We all know what a fine player he is and that he offers a great deal in the attacking third, as he proved in our second goal. I’m in no doubt about who’s going to play against PSG and all will be revealed on Wednesday. That said, the idea always remains the same: it doesn’t depend on who plays, but rather on what we go out there to do.”
Thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance
“We all know that he always wants to score goals and create chance. He lives and breathes goals. He got three tonight and PSG will certainly have to keep close tabs on him. It’s always a positive for the team when he gets his name on the scoresheet.”
Thoughts on Karim Benzema’s performance
“I don’t know why there’s a section of our supporters that jeer Benzema. The fans that come to the games can do as they wish. I just want to say that Benzema had some chances and didn’t score, but the important thing is to focus on our next game and believe that in any given match the ball will run for him and his fortunes will change. People are entitled to do what they want.”
My thoughts
It isn’t much of a surprise how much the tone changed from last week to this week. After an incredibly disappointing draw against lowly Levante, Real Madrid took care of business against a Sociedad side that they have not had much trouble with in the recent past.
I have to say I am a little skeptical about Zidane’s comments about PSG. There is no doubt that Saturday’s match was a big win, but can Real Madrid actually carry momentum over to another big match?
We saw big wins over both Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia, but a let down against Levante. Plus, the last very good team Real played was FC Barcelona and we all know how that game went.
I am confident in Cristiano Ronaldo and his ability to score goals and if he can do what he did Saturday against PSG, there is no doubt Real Madrid can win the tie. The biggest problem still and the thing that makes me the most nervous is the Real defense keeping tabs on Neymar, Cavani, and Kylian Mbappe.
Next: Real Madrid 5 – 2 Real Sociedad: As it happened
While the first half was great, the second half saw Los Blancos give up two goals due to laziness. There can be no lapse in focus, no laziness, and the four defenders can’t push too far up the field on offense because PSG’s blistering speed on the counter-attack will lead to goals without a doubt.