Real Madrid will play aggressively against Atletico Madrid says Zinedine Zidane
By Ben Sundock
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane was clear in his press conference ahead of the Madrid Derby Sunday saying his team will look to push Atletico Madrid and score lots of goals.
All quotes come via the Real Madrid official website.
Opening Statement
"“We’ll be going out to win the game. We can’t sit back or consider approaching it in any other way. We’re up against a very good side, both defensively and in attacking terms. It’ll be a good game and our intensity levels will be key. We want to keep our good run going against Atlético.”“There are three points at stake and this game is equally important for both sides. We’ll just be focused on tomorrow’s match and we want to cut the gap at the top. Atlético deserve to be where they are in the standings and all we can do is make up some ground on them. Out duty is to give our all in every game and reduce the gap as much as we can. We’ve got to continue to go all out right until the end of the LaLiga season.”"
How to manage with so many matches in a short period of time
“We’re managing it as we always have done. We haven’t got many days to rest up, but Atlético have had less time. We’re focused on playing our game and are ready, both physically and mentally. We’re in good form and want to show that we can compete.”
“There are times during the course of a season when things don’t go well. We’ve experienced that and it went on for a while, particularly in terms of the lack of goals. We’ve continued to work in the same way because you’ve just got to remember that these things happen. The start of the season was very tough but there’s nothing we can do about that now. The only thing we can do now is put in good performances. We want to have a strong finish to the season.”
Thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo
“We always chat to Cristiano Ronaldo and all of the players. When we’ve got a lot of games in quick succession, we all know that he’ll need to be rested for one of them and we discuss that with him. I’m not going to share any details. Those things stay in the dressing room.”
Will there be a guard of honor for Barcelona if they win the league?
“We won’t be giving them a guard of honour. You’ll ask me about it again and I’ve already given you my answer. It’s very clear and I won’t be talking about this again. It’s my decision. We won’t be giving them a guard of honour and that’s the end of it. Barcelona broke the mould and that tradition is no longer there.”
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Comments on Gareth Bale
“They’re all important for me and he’ll be an important player until the end of the season. I believe that he’ll bring a great deal to the team at particular times, but I’ve got to make the decisions. All of them always want to play, and all the more so in the case of a player like him. We know what he’s capable of and what he has done in the past.”
“He didn’t warm up the other day because another player had come on. He’ll be here next season, just like the rest of them. I don’t believe that it’s true that he only features in the less important games. We have many matches, he’s a Real Madrid player and is here to stay. That’s the impression I get, but we’ll have to see what happens. He’s been training and he’s not going to let his motivation levels drop off. That’s what I’m here for.”
Any update on his future with the club?
“I haven’t spoken to the club about that. I’m just focused on coaching and am not interested in what’ll happen in the future.”
Thoughts on Antoine Griezmann
“He’s a great player and is a key man for Atlético. It comes as no surprise to us to see him performing so well.”
My thoughts
I really like Zidane’s approach to this match. Despite knowing that the La Liga title is out of reach now, this match against cross-town rival’s Atleti still means a lot to this club and these players.
The first meeting between the two teams was rather dull, ending in a 0-0 draw. This time around, with both teams dominating on the European level, expect to see at least two goals instead of zero.
Diego Simeone is known for defending first, attacking second and looking to catch the other team out of position on the counter-attack. Real Madrid will need to be wary of Griezmann and Koke, and Diego Costa’s ability to break back on the counter with pace and accuracy.
Next: Madrid Derby: Where do things stand for Real Madrid
As we have grown accustomed to in these Zizou pressers, there is a Gareth Bale question and a question regarding the manager’s future with the club.
I think Gareth should start this match with Zizou employing his 4-3-3 formation that has worked time and time again against teams that like to sit back and defend. In terms of Zidane’s future, I am not sure why this is still a topic at the press conferences.
Zidane has this team playing well, and despite not winning the Copa Del Rey or the league this season, Zizou has done a very good job with this team.