Zinedine Zidane spoke in the Real Madrid City press room after the final training session prior to the Clásico (Saturday, 9pm CEST). The coach said: "We're preparing for it in the same way as the other day. We know its going to be a difficult game, very demanding, but we're ready. We've had a few days to recover and we're ready for the game. There are still a lot of points left to play for and whatever happens we will fight for the league until the end".
"Atletico have the advantage because they play first. Whatever happens the league wont be decided until the end. It's a very competitive and great competition and every team is capable of winning and we won't know until the end. There's still a lot of points left to play for. We have improved a lot defensively and we will have to put in a great performance if we want to win. The season isn't over and we haven't won anything. We have to keep working hard and be very focused".
The team's good form:
"We're working hard every day and preparing things and we want to continue doing what we're doing. There's still a long way to go, we're in a good form and have to keep this up. There's a lot at stake and there's a lot to play for. We're alive in both competitions and we're going to try to stay in it".
About Vini Jr. and Hazard:
"We have both Hazard and Vini Jr. He's our player and we're happy with him. We've had a lot of problems with injuries and we're not happy with that, but in the end it's a very big squad, where the players are committed and want to play. The most important thing is that the team competes in every game and we will always do that. We happy with Vini Jr, he works hard and is very young. We have to leave him alone and not talk about him being the best. He's relxed and focused on what he's doing. He has to carry on like that".
Sergio Ramos' absence:
"Hopefully it won't be his last Clasico. I hope he stays here".
“We in good form and we have to keep it up!”
"It's just three points, just like the ones against Éibar or Cádiz. The impact is not the same but it's three points and we're going to try to win the game, knowing that it'll be difficult. I'm not thinking that if we lose the league will be over, just preparing for the game and on giving it our all. We're positive and we want is to put in a great football".
On Mbappé:
"I know him very well but he's not my player. I can only tell you about tomorrow's game and that's all we're interested in. He's a great player and we'll see what he does in the future but at the moment he's not my concern".
About rumours related to Messi:
"Hopefully he stays at Barcelona. He's good there and it's also good for the Spanish league. We know how good a player he is. He might not be scoring goals but we're playing against Barcelona. They're all very good players and we're going to try to counter their strengths and try to play well with the ball".
Militão:
"He's a very young player and he's learning a lot. He's improving every day and that's good because he's a player for the present and the future. We're happy to have him with us".
Asensio:
"We know his quality. Attacking players need to score goals and he is much better for it, he's also over the injury. When he scores goals it gives him more confidence to play more freely on the pitch. That's what is happening to him at the moment. The players know that we have a lot of games to play, we always have to compete and we play every three days. Every game is very demanding and we have to be well prepared".
The decision on Hazard playing:
"It doesn't depend on the national team or Real Madrid, it's the player's decision. It's part of the recovery process and his feelings are very important".
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