Zidane: “We're going to fight to get out of this situation”

11 months ago - Posted by - stanley okonkwo

“We need a great performance at Mestalla and we're ready for it”, added the Real Madrid coach.

Zinedine Zidane has appeared in the press room at Real Madrid City on the day prior to his side's clash with Valencia (Saturday, 4:15pm CET). The Whites' coach said: “We've got a good game of football coming up, we're focussed on giving a good performance and taking the three points. We're going to work hard to change this situation and win games. We've got the opportunity to start tomorrow and I'm convinced we can get out of this, as are the players”.

“We need a great performance and we're ready for it. We know it's a difficult place to go and we're up against a good side who are having a super season. But we enjoy playing against the best and tomorrow is set to be a brilliant match. We're focussed on what we've got coming up, just as Cristiano Ronaldo said and we're all well aware”.

Aims
“We have to try and get back on track and move up the league and we've also got the Champions League. Our objectives are clear. When a team beats you, it's because they've done things better than you over the course of the game. There are still 19 games left in LaLiga, that's half a season. We're going to have good days, I believe in this squad. We're lucky enough to be here and believe that things are going to get better”.

Gaining confidence
“That changes very quickly and by staying positive we can turn it around. There are things we have to change and we must improve but there are some things we've done well too. The second half was better but when they scored the goal it was tough and we were mentally frustrated. We weren't able to switch it up and we created a few chances but it wasn't enough. The opposition showed more hunger than we did”.

Support from the president
“I spoke to the president and I'm going to keep going with the same enthusiasm, believing we're going to play well tomorrow. We'll see what happens ultimately, whether things change or not. That's not to be decided now. I feel the club and the president's support for the squad. We need that and we'll keep going to try and change things”.

The squad
“Results are the most important thing and that perhaps shows things aren't working as we'd like but the players are giving their all, even if sometimes things don't come off as we expect. We have to continue with the same enthusiasm. It's been a year of ups and downs, maybe more downs than in other years, but we have to learn from this and the good thing is we've still got games and many battles ahead of us. We're already thinking about the next one”.

We're not happy with where we are, we're going to fight and get through this, I'm telling you now.

“We have to think only about tomorrow's match and that'll help us to stay positive this season. I'm as hungry as ever, and it's not just me, the players are the same. They've got the same discipline to keep going and turn it around. These things can happen at this club and you can't do amazing things every year. We're not happy with where we are, we're going to fight and get through this, I'm telling you now. We can still win the Champions League and we're going to give it everything we've got”.

His position
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I try to keep the hunger, improve as a coach and try to ensure my squad keeps doing things which we believe will help us do a good job. It's where we are today and I can't think about the trophies I've won. I was disappointed the other day because I didn't expect to be out of the cup but that's football. Nobody can take my enthusiasm for working here until my last day. The players are disappointed but they can't be blamed in regards to attitude”.

“I'm here, win or lose. I'm not happy to have so much criticism come my way but it's the norm when results aren't going for you. I accept the criticism but it's not going to get in the way of me doing my job as I believe it should be done and I'm sure I can turn it around and take something positive from this. I see my players look hungry in training”.

Cristiano Ronaldo
“He looks good and he'll play tomorrow”.

Partly to blame?
“I'm to blame for not having won the game after we got the result we wanted in Leganés. That's the problem I had with the other day and perhaps there was a lack of motivation, especially in the first half. We didn't start too badly but we gave the ball away and the first half was pretty poor. Perhaps I was unable to get things across enough to win the game. These things can happen during your career and all we can do is work hard and believe that we can turn things around with the squad we've got”.

“If I thought I couldn't get through to the players, I'd leave tomorrow. Footballers go through both good and bad moments and the other day was a particularly low point but we have to pick ourselves up. There are worse things in life and I want to change our position and I think I've got the strength to do so. If I didn't we'd have a problem. I'm the only one seeing the positives, and I don't say that to protect myself. Football is about results, no matter what people say. That's what keeps you calm and it's what we're here for”.

Planning
“I wouldn't change anything. It sounds good to say I'd change things but I accept what's happening and believe we're going to get out of it. I was happy with my squad at the start of the season and I don't regret anything now. It's a squad for the future that has to keep learning. I'm 100% behind them”.