‘We are not the favourites of anything’: Zinedine Zidane insists it’s a toss of a coin as to who wins the Champions League final in Kiev
- Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said Saturday’s final ‘is a 50/50 situation
- La Liga giants Madrid face Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in Ukrainian capital of Kiev
- Zidane’s side are favourites to win however he has played down their chances
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has insisted it’s a toss of a coin as to who wins the Champions League final on Saturday night.
La Liga giants Madrid face Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev bidding to win the competition for a third successive year.
Zidane’s side are favourites to win their 13th European Cup, however he has played down their chances.
Zinedine Zidane has insisted it’s a toss of a coin as to who wins the Champions League final
‘We don’t feel that way. It’s not the truth. This is another final, ‘ Zidane said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
‘We are not the favourites. This is a 50/50 situation.
‘We have to play a great match to win it. We don’t feel like the favourites. We are not the favourites of anything.’
Zidane took his players through a training session at the NSK Olimpiyskiy Stadium on Friday as they continued their final preparations ahead of the showpiece.
Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was pictured training at the stadium hosting the heavily-anticipated clash on Saturday night.
Ronaldo made his comeback from an ankle injury in Madrid’s 2-2 draw at Villarreal last Saturday.
Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was pictured training at the NSK Olimpiyskiy Stadium on Friday
Zidane took his players through a training session ahead of final against Liverpool on Saturday
On Ronaldo’s fitness, Zidane said: ‘He is doing great. If he is doing 140 per cent that is great too! You have to know that he lives for these matches. This is what makes him tick.’
In recent weeks Gareth Bale has made his case to start the final after not getting the nod against Bayern Munich at the semi-final stage.
Zidane did not reveal whether Bale will be in the starting XI but insisted players on the bench are important to the team.
In recent weeks Gareth Bale has made his case to start the final after not starting semi-finals
‘Players might be disappointed but if they are on the bench they are part of the team. They contribute in some way to the team. That is very important,’ he said.
‘This is the worst moment for a coach when you have to make that choice when you are playing in a final. Some will not even put their jersey on. Players know that.
‘I have to take that responsibility on. It is my job to do that.’
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