Zinedine Zidane admits he has yet to be given assurances that he will remain Real Madrid’s Coach next season ahead of Saturday’s Derbi against Atletico.
Zidane guided Madrid to the Champions League last season, in his first five months at the helm, and still has one more year left on his contract, but the Coach hinted a failure to defend the European cup or win La Liga would result in his departure.
“Staying with Madrid? My continuity isn’t certain, that’s why I’m not preparing anything, I know what it's like to coach Real Madrid during good and for bad times, that’s why I’m only worried about the next game,” he said at a Press conference.
“The fans? They’re going to be with us more than ever, they’re also going to play in the match so they’re very important to us for the run-in.
“We have nine games left, and for me they’re all important. It’s not only BBC, they also know that they’re all important.
“When picking my team, it’s always complicated, but for me everyone’s important. Until the end of the season, it’s going to be like this.
“It’s not going to be an easy match, but I don’t know how Atletico will play. I’m only interested in my team, what we’re going to do, I know we're going to suffer a bit, but we know how the game will be.
“Resting BBC? The idea is to reach this end of the season in peak physical shape, and all the players who train with us know they can contribute to the team.
“Resting Ronaldo? There’s no plan for him, we’ve talked to him, period. It’s important that the players have a feel of what we’re doing, they’re intelligent players and they accept it because it’s for the good of the team.
“We’re here to win the League, we’re very much involved and we know that we’ll be playing for everything in the final stretch, what we’ve done so far doesn’t mean anything.
“[This Derbi] is a different match to the previous ones. Every game has its history. Atletico are very good and I don’t expect anything similar from our first meeting this season.
“In that game, we suffered on occasions and it can be the same or worse this time around. We want to see a good football match and that’s it.
“Reasons for Madrid’s bad run against Atletico? There’s no explanation, we’ll see tomorrow.
“Atletico’s qualities? They all talk about Atletico as a team that defend very well and it’s true, but they don’t have just that, they’re a team that over the years have improved a lot and have a good attacking game. They play good football too … We’ll try to frustrate them.
“Ronaldo? He trains phenomenally and is ready for the final stretch. Every game that he plays in, he always wants to score.
“He gives us a lot of ambition, he transmits a lot of energy to everyone and that’s what runs him and the others.
“Favourites? There are three points at stake, there are no favourites.
“How I’m feeling? Always positive, whatever happens in life. I’m very lucky to be at Madrid and do what I like. There are many people who can’t do what they like, but I can.
“Isco? There’s no controversy with the crisps. He’s delighted to be here. It’s part of football, all opinions and that, but we only care about the game.
“Morata? For me, all matches are important and Morata had a great game at Leganes and did very well.
“My first defeat to Atleti? I don’t have just desire for revenge, these matches are more of a challenge, it’s what motivates us.
“There are three points at stake and I wouldn’t like to remember our first meeting of the season, which we won.
“Of course, I remember the defeat in my first year, but I’m not thinking about it. We all look forward to playing on game Saturday.
“Benzema and Griezmann? Yes, they can make a difference, but I hope it’s Karim who does.”
Madrid squad for Atleti: Keylor, Casilla, Yanez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo, Coentrao, Danilo; Kroos, James, Casemiro, Kovacic, Modric, Asensio, Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale, Lucas, Mariano, Morata
