Ready For Betis & A Birthday

The team had their final training session before meeting Real Betis tomorrow at the Bernabeu.

The Baby trained individually on the pitch. Pepe and birthday boy Fabio stayed indoors. (Video)

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FROMREALMADRID.COM

Zidane: “We’re facing the most difficult period and every point is crucial”
by Javier Garcia | Photograher: Antonio Villalba

“We’re going to do all we can at home to win every game”, he added.

Zidane appeared in the media room at Real Madrid City on the day prior to his side’s clash with Betis (Sunday, 8:45pm CET). The coach looked ahead to the meeting with the Andalusian team and highlighted the importance of the Bernabéu: “We’re going to do all we can at home to win every game and not drop points. We’ve managed to do that so far and we’ve got to focus on carrying it on and doing a good job. We’re always going to try and win games or at least not lose them”.

“We’re not done badly so far this season. We can do things better and play better, but what we’ve done so far is pretty good. Now we’re facing the most difficult, important period. There’s not long left and every point will be crucial. What we’ve done up to this point hasn’t been bad, but how we perform from this stage until the end of the season will be extremely important. We’re happy as a group but there are still three months to the end of the season and the hardest part is still to come”.

Fight for LaLiga
“It’s a long time since we last won LaLiga, some five or six years. That’s an immense motivation. We’re not going to play in the same way every three days, with the same intensity and determination, that’s to be expected. We’re motivated for both competitions, the Champions League and LaLiga. This year we want to win the league title. People may think that we don’t offer the same importance to the league but that’s not how we feel within the club, it’s what we’re training for on a daily basis”.

Morata’s knock in training
“He’s going to be in the squad. It’s a knock but there’s no problem, he’ll be with us”.

Barcelona’s comeback
“It’s the same team as before, nothing is going to change. I’m not going to start talking about percentages. All that interests me is our game and I’m not here to talk about what happened the other day”.

Rotation
“All the players are hungry. Tomorrow perhaps one of the guys who doesn’t play so often will get a chance, but all I’m looking for is that the whole squad is ready. I’ll put the team out that I think is the most suitable for each game. The most important thing is that they’re all well prepared”.

The system and the BBC
“We’ve had many games in which we’ve played really well with the three of them up top. Then lately you’ve been talking about it. We played a great game in Éibar. I may agree that we’re more balanced with the 4-4-2. As a coach I can’t give too much thought to these things, I believe we can play in different ways and still do a great job. We can change the system but the most important thing is the attitude”.

“Are you going to play with one of them in the centre of the park? We could do that, but if all three are fit, I’m not going to put them in the middle, I’ll play with all three up top. One of them could perhaps do it, but I prefer to have all of them up front. Gareth, for example, can play in the middle of the park but I think they’re all more effective in their preferred positions: Gareth on the right, Cristiano left and Karim through the centre. It’s the position they’re used to playing”.

The impact of Real Madrid
“Madrid is Madrid, it’s unique. Every time anything happens here, it’s because it’s Real Madrid. We get on people’s nerves, we know that and it’s not going to change. We know if we win it’s because we’re playing well, we don’t rely on anything or anyone else. We’re focused on what we’re able to do. We can do a few things better and we’ll try to do that. What’s coming up now is the most important period, we’re getting towards the end of the season and every point we pick up will be crucial”.

Ramos and Ronaldo, dressing room leaders
“You’ve said it, they’re both leaders. One is our captain and the other is another captain for us too. They’re vitally important to this team. Sergio has personality and character which is a real boost to the dressing room. They’re both leaders, each in their own way”.

Coentrão
“If we’ve not called him up, it’s because he’s not fully recovered. It’s nothing significant resulting from the injury, he’s just got a bit of discomfort which is stopping him training”.

Casemiro
“He’s like the rest of the players. He can play and he can rest. We know how important he is to the balance of the team. To say that we didn’t beat Las Palmas because Casemiro didn’t start is a bit strong. He’s an important player but we have others who can play there too”.

Future of James and Isco
“I’m not going to discuss next year, I’m only interested in this season. They’re compatible, they’re two good footballers and they can play together”.

Call Ups

The following players were called up for the match:

Goalkeepers: Navas, Casilla and Yáñez.
Defenders: Carvajal, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo and Danilo.
Midfielders: Kroos, James, Casemiro, Kovacic, Modric, Asensio and Isco.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Lucas Vázquez and Morata.

Happy Birthday Fabio!

Cristiano’s BFF and resident vegetable thief turns 29 today. Feliz cumpleaños Fabio! Hope this is a better year for you health-wise and that we get to see you on the pitch more soon.

– Lozil