Real Madrid boss Zidane warns Spurs he thrives under pressure

Zinedine Zidane has warned Tottenham he thrives under pressure and that Real Madrid cannot wait to put right Sunday's surprise defeat to Girona.
Spurs face Madrid in the Champions League this evening (7.45pm, live on RTÉ2) and it would appear a good time to face the holders, who are struggling with both fitness issues and form.
Gareth Bale, Keylor Navas and Raphael Varane will all miss the match at Wembley through injury while Madrid are coming in on the back of a shock 2-1 loss to newly promoted Girona.
The result leaves Madrid eight points behind Barcelona in LaLiga but Zidane insists his players are now chomping at the bit to prove their doubters wrong.
"After a defeat, of course people aren't happy, but in some ways I actually like this," Zidane said.
"I like having the motivation of a big match so we can get back to winning ways. This is something that inspires me.
"When the going gets tough I think I work my best. Life is like this, there are always hard moments, but you have to trust in the way you work and come back stronger."
Madrid might also be without Isco, who has a thigh problem, but Tottenham are sweating on the fitness of Harry Kane, who is hoping to shake off a hamstring injury.

Kane has scored five goals in three Champions League games this season, but Madrid defender Marcelo insists the striker's availability is not on their minds.
"It does not make for me a big difference," the Brazil full-back said.
"Harry Kane is a very important player but Tottenham are more than just one player. I've seen many matches where Harry Kane does great things but I've also seen the team produce great things.
"It is important for us not to think just about Harry Kane, whether it is harder with him there or not as hard if he isn't. We have to consider the group and take on the team as a whole."
Tottenham and Madrid drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu last month. The teams sit level on seven points each at the top of Group H.
KANE V RONALDO - HEAD TO HEAD

Club appearances (all competitions): Kane (Tottenham) 12, Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 11
Club goals (all competitions): Kane 13, Ronaldo 7
Domestic goals: Kane 8, Ronaldo 2
Champions League goals: Kane 5, Ronaldo 5
Home goals: Kane 4, Ronaldo 3
Away goals: Kane 9, Ronaldo 4
Braces: Kane 5, Ronaldo 2
Hat-tricks: Kane 1, Ronaldo 0
Longest run without a goal: Kane 3 games, Ronaldo 2 games

Zidane ahead of the Spurs game: 'I work best under the pressure'

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane doesn’t think that the current bad results are affecting him.

“In many ways I like this situation,” Zidane told journalists ahead of Real’s upcoming Champions League game against Tottenham.

The Merengues Coach has not enjoyed a strong start to the season, losing two games and drawing as many in ten Liga fixtures, and having to settle for a draw with Tottenham in the last round of Champions League games.

Yet the former Real player claimed that he worked better in such circumstances: “It’s a good feeling to have the motivation of a big match to return to winning ways, it inspires me and when things are toughest, you need a big challenge to come back stronger – it’s when I work best.

“Some people believe a defeat means we are weakest but is the exact opposite, we are working harder than ever at coming back stronger against a great opponent.”

The Frenchman had something else to say about this weekend’s 2-1 loss to Girona.

“Was Girona my worst match as manager? I don’t think so, that’s an overreaction and you must remember we went a goal up but could not take advantage of that, but we must bounce back.

“It’s important for us not to think too much about that and move on, to think of the match against Spurs and give all we can to that match to win.

Tottenham Hotspur v Real Madrid: Team news, current injuries and suspensions

 

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane will be without former Spurs forward Gareth Bale who is injured, while the Welshman will be joined on the sidelines by Keylor Navas, Jesus Vallejo and Mateo Kovacic.
Dani Carvajal is unlikely to feature as a heart condition continues to be monitored while Raphael Varane is expected to be replaced by Nacho in defence.
Possible starting XI: Casilla, Hakimi, Nacho, Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo.

What are they saying?

"You have to show you can cope with the pressure of this level of football. We played Real Madrid, Liverpool, West Ham, Man. United. Every game was a tough game, competitive. Tomorrow will be the same. It's impossible to breathe, to get relaxed, to be ready every three days. That's the Premier League, that's England and that's how difficult it is to be a player here.
"Every game is a big chance to prove yourself, to try to show everyone you're ready to compete. This season that's our challenge, to move on, to step up, to be consistent in trying to fight for big things. Last season we were disappointed with the group stage and we're doing much, much better this season."
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane enjoys a kickabout at Wembley Credit: Getty Images

“For the players, they approach all matches wherever they are with the same mentality: to win. It’s a beautiful stadium and it’ll be a great spectacle but we’re here to win.
"Wembley means a lot but we’ve got two important teams and wonderful supporters. I played in the old stadium; I won’t have the good fortune of experiencing the new one, that’s for the players tomorrow.”
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane

David De Gea pushes a Real Madrid star towards Liverpool

According to Diario Gol, Liverpool could sign Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas.
The story is closely connected to Man United goalie David De Gea.
As everyone knows, De Gea has been a long term target for Los Blancos. Indeed, De Gea is only still at Man United because of a broken fax machine.
Navas has since established himself as the number one goalie for Real. The Costa Rican was recently named in the top three goalies at the FIFA Best awards.

Keylor Navas is injured v Tottenham

Real Madrid take on Tottenham on Wednesday night in the Champions League.
Keylor Navas is injured, and he’ll miss the Spurs match at Wembley.
Diario Gol believe that Navas’s current spell on the sidelines has given him some time to consider where his career is headed.
He’s reportedly instructed his agent to listen to what offers are out there, and Liverpool are listed as a frontrunner for his signature.

Diario Gol claim that Jurgen Klopp personally called the Costa Rica international to discuss a potential move at the end of the season.
Navas has made 12 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
The 30-year-old is under contract at Real until 2020.

Tottenham v Real Madrid

Aside from missing Navas, Real Madrid will be without Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal on Wednesday night.
Dele Alli returns from suspension and it seems very likely that we will see a Spurs front three that also includes Harry Kane (fitness permitting) and Christian Eriksen.

Cristiano Ronaldo grabs best seat in the plane as Real Madrid fly in to face Tottenham at Wembley in the Champions League… but did he pay the extra £21.50 for more legroom?

Cristiano Ronaldo and Toni Kroos bag the extra leg-room

Sergio Ramos and Marcelo suited and booted for the flight to London

And the pair are seated by the emergency exit door meaning they get a few more inches of space to stretch out their legs - usually worth an extra £21.50 extra on EasyJet.
And captain Sergio Ramos also shared a photo on Instagram of him wheeling his suitcase down a ramp at Madrid airport.
His photo with him next to club ambassador Roberto Carlos carries the caption ‘Wembley, here we go.’
Legendary Brazilian Carlos also shared a picture from inside the plane, sitting next to former Real Madrid superstar Raul.
Victory at Wembley, on their first ever visit to the home of football, would guarantee their qualification from Group H.
Madrid are flying to London on the back of a disastrous start to the domestic season in Spain, which culminated in last weekend’s shock 2-1 defeat at Girona.

Bale to miss Tottenham reunion, but Isco ready for Real Madrid

The Wales international is back in training but is not yet fit enough to return to Zinedine Zidane's plans for the Champions League clash at Wembley

Gareth Bale will not be reunited with Tottenham in the Champions League after missing out on a place in Real Madrid’s travelling squad.
The Blancos have named a 19-man party for the midweek clash at Wembley Stadium.


Bale had been hoping to make the cut, allowing him to face his former club, but he has only been able to return to light training ahead of the contest.
Zinedine Zidane has been forced to overlook him as a result, but Isco does make the grade after shaking off a knock which kept him out of training on Monday.


Isco was seen limping down the tunnel following Real’s shock 2-1 defeat to Girona, but assured reporters after that contest that he would be ready for European action.
Zidane clearly believes that the Spain international is back to full health, but he has a number of other injury issues to contend with.
Keylor Navas, Raphael Varane, Dani Carvajal and Mateo Kovacic are all missing for Real as they prepare to take on Spurs.


The defending champions have also seen club talisman Cristiano Ronaldo hit an uncharacteristic slump which has seen the usually prolific Portuguese struggle for goals.
Zidane will be eager to see a man recently honoured with the FIFA Best Award get back on track in England, while offering him and his team a welcome boost amid a testing run and regular rounds of criticism.
Having swept to a La Liga and Champions League double last season, Real currently sit eight points adrift of arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish top-flight and were held 1-1 at home by Tottenham in their last continental outing.