Zinedine Zidane spoke during the virtual (as usually lately) press conference that is to proceed the semi final Real Madrid-Chelsea (Tuesday, 9pm CEST). The team has been preparing for this match as good as possible despite the obstacles like the absences, the great number of matches in a short period of time, media’s pressure and more. Zizou confirmed Real Madrid injury news and dismissed referee concerns ahead of Chelsea. Chelsea have been quite a solid team at the back since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as manager towards the end of January and Zidane concludes that his team will need to be firing on all cylinders if they want to find the way to the final.
The Real Madrid coach said: "Chelsea are a complete team, that attack and defend well", explained the Real Madrid coach. Both teams are experienced in every competition and we'll have to put in two very good performances to get through to the final. We're preparing for that and we're going to fight from the first minute to the last. It's a semi-final and it's going to be tough. It's the most difficult and the most exciting game because it's the next one we play. The Champions League is special and we're going to approach it how a Champions League semi-final should be approached. We've prepared well and will be looking to put in a good performance and compete".
On Chelsea:
"I don't think Chelsea will sit back. They're a complete team, they attack and defend well. They've done their job in the Champions League and are here on merit, just like us. We have to defend well and create chances when we can to cause Chelsea some problems".
About a possible UEFA sanction:
There were also various questions about the Super League, in Spanish, in English and in French. Zidane get increasingly frustrated with these questions as he refused to give his opinion on the project, but he dismissed the conspiracy theory that UEFA will seek revenge on Real Madrid through biased refereeing in this tie. "It's ludicrous to think that we won't be in the Champions League next year. There's nothing else to be said. There is a lot of talk about this situation, but we have to stay focused on the game. We can't control the rest, so there'll be a lot of talk about it. We want to see Real Madrid in the Champions League next year".
He continued: “We have to be at our best to cause Chelsea problems. The referee will do his job and we need to focus on playing football. If we start to think that what's happening is going to go against us, we're lost. We have to fight from the first to the last minute and we can't control the rest, so we shouldn't get involved in these things". It will be the Dutch official Danny Makkelie who will take charge of the game at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on Tuesday night.
On Florentino Pérez:
"The president knows where my heart is at and we're here to prepare for the Chelsea game. It's not the time to talk about the rest. We're going to play in a Champions League semi-final and we're only thinking about that".
Zidane’s answer when he was asked if he preferred to win the League or Champions League:
"We're not going to choose. We're still alive in both competitions. We've had some difficulties and we've always been able to pick ourselves up. We've got a month of competition left and we're going to fight until the end no matter what. We're not thinking about anything else. We might have some problems, but every team will. We'll give everything on the pitch every time there's a match and we know that we're Real Madrid and anything is possible. It's the day to day work that drives us on and we're going to try to compete every day".
The situation of Kroos and Mendy:
"Toni is fine and will be available. Ferland isn't ready yet. He's still got some work to do". Kroos has also missed the last three games as a precaution but he was back in full training on Sunday as head coach Zidane confirmed the influential German midfielder is fit to play against the Blues.
Militão's development in the eyes of the coach:
"He's doing well and we're happy with him. He's been patient and has worked hard. Every player brings something to the team and Militão has demonstrated that".
Hazard's long-awaited return:
Eden Hazard looked very impressive after coming off the bench at the weekend (creating more chances than anyone even why he played only about 15 minutes), which could make him get more minutes against Chelsea, his former club. For Eden Hazard, this is a special match against his former club and Zidane said the Belgian is in good condition: "He's fine. He was very comfortable when he played the other day and that was the most important thing: he didn't feel any pain. He's ready to go now. We're happy he's available because he's going to bring a lot to the team".
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