Zinedine Zidane cranked-up the pressure surrounding Tuesday’s Champions League showdown with Paris Saint Germain by admitting: ‘There is no margin for error.’
The Real Madrid coach had been asked about the prospect for both clubs of having to face the rest of the season without the Champions League if they are knocked out.
For PSG last-16 elimination will be a poor return on the fortune they spent in the summer and for Madrid being knocked out will leave them with three months left of the season to brood over not winning a single trophy.
Real Madrid trained inside an empty Parc des Princes ahead of Tuesday’s clash with PSG
Zinedine Zidane admits there’s ‘no margin for error’ against PSG in their second leg
Cristiano Ronaldo leads from the front in training as Real prepare for Tuesday night’s clash
Zidane admitted: ‘After the game, for one of these two clubs, things are going to be difficult. We are know we are going to suffer but this is another chance to show the world what this club is all about.’
Zidane played down the absence of Neymar and played up the qualities of Angel Di Maria who looks set to replace and play against his old club.
The French coach said of the consequences of Neymar’s absence: ‘Everything changes but nothing changes. What Neymar has done so far here is extraordinary but another very motivated player will take his place.
‘Di Maria is a spectacular player. We know him well because he made history in Madrid. He can play anywhere. And maybe defensively they are stronger with him in the team.’
Zidane was boosted by the return of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos on Monday evening
Karim Benzema shows off some close control during a training session on Monday in Paris
Gareth Bale enjoys training with his team-mates as the Welshman looks ahead to Tuesday
Brazilian left back shows off some flair on Monday evening inside an empty Parc des Princes
Facing reporters with his trademark ‘ZZ’ training top the Real Madrid coach looked relaxed ahead of the biggest game of the season. He said his players would not be affected by the hot-house atmosphere promised them in the Parc des Princes.
‘We are used to it,’ he said. He also played down the ominous task he has of picking the best team. Both Toni Kroos and Luka Modric trained on Tuesday night and if they start in midfield alongside Casemiro with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo upfront then that leaves just one starting berth available and Gareth Bale, Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio and Isco all vying for it.
‘I wouldn’t say it’s the hardest,’ he said when asked if this team selection was his most difficult. ‘I have had two years with this squad of players who always want to play. But it’s my job to decide.’
Raphael Varane looks relaxed as Zidane’s side look ahead to Champions League showdown
Real’s French boss oversees training in Paris while Ronaldo controls a pass from a team-mate
Real take a 3-1 aggregate lead going into their second leg with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday
Earlier Tuesday Daniel Alves called on PSG to announce themselves on the big European stage tonight by knocking out Real Madrid and ensuring that Neymar had not played his last Champions League game this season.
‘I speak with him almost every day,’ said Alves, ‘and we have made a pact to see each other again later in the competition. We usually keep our word.’
Real Madrid go into the match with a 3-1 lead but Alves said: ‘We have two options. We can cry about Neymar’s injury or lift ourselves. It’s impossible to not notice his absence but this club needs to knockout a big rival like Madrid so that everyone sits up and takes notice of us.’