Zidane expects 'complicated and difficult' game against Sporting

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane gave a press conference on Monday ahead of the Champions League game against Sporting Club. The French coach didn’t underestimate Madrid’s rivals and highlighted the fact he expects a complicated game. 

“Sporting did not surprise us at he Bernabeu,” Zidane said. "They played really well we won with difficulty. It will be the same [on Tuesday]. We will have a similar game against a team who will want to cause us problems.

 

“They'll come out and it'll be a great game. When people play against Real Madrid they give more or try more, it's normal, it's logical that when play Real Madrid, you play better.”

Zidane added that the win against Atletico “means nothing” now and said his focus is on winning against Sporting, with top spot in the group still up for grabs. Borussia Dortmund currently lead the way. 

“I’m not thinking about first or second place,” he continued. “I am thinking about the players, the club, the team and always doing everything to win the game, nothing more.

"Whatever happens [after that] then we'll look at the qualifying but most important thing is what we are going to do tomorrow, we'll do everything possible to win.

"I am not going to calculate anything, and the same for the players."

On the debate about the pros and cons of the BBC, Zidane said that “they are the best. For mi it’s not important whether I play the BBC or not, what interests me is the group. It doesn’t matter to me if the play more or less.”