Zidane: If I underperform…

Zinedine Zidane admits “if you underperform” at Real Madrid, “you go home” ahead of Saturday’s trip to Tony Adams’ Granada in La Liga.

Zidane has yet to be confirmed as Madrid’s Coach next season, although Los Blancos stand four wins away from a first League title in five years and two away from becoming the first team to defend the Champions League in its current guise.

“There are few matches left and we know that there are three very important points up for grabs at Granada,” he said at a Press conference.

“We’re going to go out and give everything on the pitch.

“Mbappe? He almost signed for Madrid, but in the end it didn’t happen. He’s having a great season, but I don’t usually talk about players that aren’t mine.

“The truth is that I try to do my best, I understand football and the President has given me the chance of managing this great club.

“Every day I train with great enthusiasm and I’m still learning and progressing. I don’t care about what’s being said from the outside.

“Being at Real Madrid is the best thing that has happened to me in my professional life.

“Cristiano Ronaldo and the Ballon d’Or? The merit of what he does belongs to only him. He’s close to another one, though, yes.

“Concerns? I’m not worried at all, but we haven’t won anything yet. We can win everything and not win anything.

“The only thing we know is that we have to keep working until the end of the season, until the last minute of the last match.

“I do not know what will happen in the end, but what I like is that we’re work with humility and respect.

“Mosaic from fans before the Atletico game? I’ve seen a lot of banners in the stadiums, it’s part of football and it’s always going to happen.

“Why I won’t guarantee my future? Because at Madrid you’re judged by results. I really love this club, I’ve been here for 16 years, but I know exactly where I am.

“When you underperform here, you go home, that’s the way it is and I have that in my head. I’ve always tried to win everything in my career.

“It’s a very important match for us, if we think it’s going to be easy, we’re going to make a mistake. They’re a relegated rival but they have good players.

“We start games in one way and we can finish in another, and it’s always going to be like this.

“Kroos’ claim Madrid are better with a four-man midfield? I don’t know if you want me to say that with BBC we have less balance, but I disagree.

“They’re world-class players, but the truth is also what Toni says, that we start playing in one way and finish in another, with more balance.

“The other day, we tried to play with wingers that attacked and defended. Everyone can give their opinion, but I’m happy with the BBC and everyone else and in another system, too.

“There are people who may think that those who play less play better, but there are only a few matches with BBC in which we didn’t play well.

“All our players are very good, but BBC too. They don’t play by decree.

“Simeone and Morata? Alvaro is from Real Madrid and at the club of his life. He’s very committed here.

“Respect for Ronaldo? Cristiano has the respect of all madridistas, the club, the Coach and his teammates.

“He knows himself very well. He knows that he’s played 60-70 games each year and that accumulation makes him rest a little now.

“I’m not the Coach who’s sat Cristiano down. I know players have to rest. If all the players want to reach the end of the season, they have to rest.

“The defence? Fabio [Coentrao] will be with us, Pepe’s doing very well and I think next week he’ll be with us.

“Varane has pulled something and although it’s not serious, we don’t want to risk him.”

Granada (probable): Ochoa; Foulquier, Ingason, Hongla, Gaston; Uche, Krhin; Malle, Pereira, Cuenca; Adrian Ramos

Injuries/suspensions: Bale, Carvajal, Pepe, Varane (I) Ronaldo, Keylor (rested)

Real Madrid: Casilla; Danilo, Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Coentrao; Isco, Kovacic, James; Lucas Vazquez, Morata, Asensio

Injuries/suspensions: Kravets (doubtful) Tabanou (S) Hector (doubtful) Ponce (S) Samper (doubtful) Saunier (I)

Referee: Iglesias Villanueva

Form guide: Granada (L L L L L) Madrid (W W L W D)

Previous meeting: Madrid 5-0 Granada

Kick-off time: 19:45 BST/20:45 local time (LIVE on Football Espana!)

Tags Zinedine Zidane
La Liga - Club News