- Title: There’s nothing better than playing the Clasico, says Real’s Zidane
- Date: 2nd December 2016
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (DECEMBER 2, 2016) (REUTERS) REAL MADRID PLAYERS DIVIDED IN TWO GROUPS PASSING THE BALL MIDFIELDER TONI KROOS TOUCHING THE BALL REAL MADRID COACH ZINEDINE ZIDANE ATTENDING TRAINING SESSION PLAYERS PASSING THE BALL STRIKER CRISTIANO RONALDO, CENTRE BACKS RAPHAEL VARANE AND PEPE, MIDFIELDER MARTIN ODEGAARD DURING SESSION TRAINING SESSION IN PROGRESS MIDFIELDER JAMES RODRIGUEZ CHASING THE BALL CENTRE BACK SERGIO RAMOS TOUCHING BALL SESSION IN PROGRESS MIDFIELDER ENZO ZIDANE PLAYERS PASSING THE BALL RAMOS DURING TRAINING SESSION LEFT BACK MARCELO ATTENDING EXERCISE AND LAUGHING FORWARD KARIM BENZEMA TOUCHING THE BALL, VARANE CHASING BALL KROOS TALKING TO FORWARD LUCAS VAZQUEZ TRAINING SESSION IN PROGRESS REAL MADRID COACH ZINEDINE ZIDANE ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID COACH ZINEDINE ZIDANE SAYING: "There's nothing better than playing a 'Clasico' match. I think all players dream of playing these kind of matches. I've had the luck to have played these games in La Liga and in Champions League. What we all want is to enjoy the match." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID COACH ZINEDINE ZIDANE SAYING: "Is it more necessary for them to win? No, no. We are ahead but this doesn't mean anything. You have to prove yourself always, every game. About (Lionel) Messi, we know what kind of player he is. He's one of the greatest players in the world so we are going to pay special attention on him but not only with him, also with the rest of the team because they are all very good." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID COACH ZINEDINE ZIDANE SAYING: "What I'm most interested in, is that Cristiano is very important for all of our players. He has a tremendous energy and I'm happy because I see him glad, happy and very focused in achieving things. He has won everything this year but he's still ambitious and that's good for the club." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID COACH ZINEDINE ZIDANE SAYING: "I'm getting better and training every day (as a coach). But as you say, little time has passed for me to be nominated as one of the three best coaches. This I can't change, I'm there and I'm thankful with the profession and with what they have said. However, I think there are many coaches that should be in the list before me." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS ZIDANE LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 17th December 2016 14:31
- Keywords: Soccer Real Barca Clasico Zidane FIFA
- Location: MADRID, SPAIN
- City: MADRID, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Reuters ID: LVA0015B6Z3UN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said on Friday (December 2) there is nothing better than playing a Clasico.
The first big clash between Real and Barca of the season will be played at the Camp Nou on Saturday (December 3).
French coach Zidane thinks every player dream on playing these kind of matches and everyone wants to enjoy the clash.
"There's nothing better than playing a 'Clasico' match. I think all players dream of playing these kind of matches. I've had the luck to have played these games in La Liga and in Champions League. What we all want is to enjoy the match," said Zidane at the news conference previewing the match.
Real Madrid are unbeaten in all competitions this season.
With 33 points, they lead Barcelona and third-placed Sevilla by six points at the top of the standings.
A win for the Blancos would open up a nine-point lead over Luis Enrique's side.
Barca have made their worst start to a season since 2004/05 and have drawn three of their last four games in all competitions, but Zidane said this did not mean anything.
"We are ahead but this doesn't mean anything. You have to prove yourself always, every game. About (Lionel) Messi, we know what kind of player he is. He's one of the greatest players in the world so we are going to pay special attention on him but not only with him, also with the rest of the team because they are all very good," he said.
Real have not lost in any competition for almost eight months and Zidane is two games away from equalling a club record of 34 games unbeaten.
Both coaches have had to juggle their squads to deal with a raft of absentees this season and Real will be without Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale, although midfield anchor Casemiro is set to return.
Along with Claudio Ranieri and Fernando Santos, Zidane has been nominated by the FIFA as the best coach of 2016.
The Frenchman said he is thankful but thinks many coaches should be in the list before him.
"I'm getting better and training every day (as a coach). But as you say, little time has passed for me to be nominated as one of the three best coaches. This I can't change, I'm there and I'm thankful with the profession and with what they have said. However I think there are many coaches that should be in the list before me," he said.
Real's fringe players like Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio, Mateo Kovacic and Alvaro Morata have performed admirably when the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kroos and Luka Modric have been injured. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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