Zinedine Zidane warned his Real Madrid players to maintain their focus if they are to deliver some silverware this season and pip Barcelona to the league title.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane with his players. (Reuters Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Real Madrid will be targeting a sixth consecutive victory since the Covid-19 hiatus
- Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has warned his players not to rest on their laurels
- Real Madrid top La Liga by a point after five wins out of five since La Liga restarted
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said his side will not rest until they are declared champions after title rivals Barcelona handed them the opportunity to go four points clear at the top of La Liga if they beat Getafe on Thursday.
Real will be targeting a sixth consecutive victory since the COVID-19 hiatus when they host Getafe, looking to capitalize on Barca’s 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, which was the Catalans’ third draw in six matches.
“The reality is we have 18 points left to fight for and you cannot say anything until you are champions mathematically,” Zidane told a virtual news conference on Wednesday.
“I have been in this situation as a player before and I know we still haven’t won anything. The players and I are not about to forget that.”
Real have a full squad for the Getafe game although there is concern about the recent performances of Eden Hazard, who has received rough treatment from opponents since returning from a serious ankle injury he sustained in February.
Zidane said he hoped players were not trying to target the Belgian.
“We know how good he is and so do our rivals. But I hope they are not trying to cause him damage. Our opponents play tough, but we have to be relaxed about that,” he said.
“Eden has struggled because he has been away from the pitch for a long time and we have to be patient with him, but he’ll be back to top form in no time at all.”
