Madrid (AFP)
"Give everything to win": French Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said his players, who returned to training two weeks ago, are aware of the "luck" they have of "coming back to work" , he told Real Madrid TV on Wednesday.
"We have to stay positive, we are lucky to be able to come back to work, to be here outside ... The players know they are lucky. Now we are missing eleven games, we are going to prepare for Finish the season well. The important thing is to give everything to win. This is the club's DNA, "said Zinedine Zidane in a video posted on the club's website on Wednesday.
Almost two months after the quarantine started at Real Madrid (due to a positive case within the Real basketball team), on March 12, the players and the staff found the grounds of the training center of Valdebebas on May 11, first for individual sessions, then in small groups since Monday.
"I'm happy to come back to work with my players," said Zizou. "After almost 60 days, we are all happy to return to Valdebebas. They are happy to be able to train, be together, and enjoy doing what they like, that is to say playing football," said the Madrid technician.
"We had established a work plan with the physical trainers, and I think the players were also happy to have something to do at home. They did the job very well, and it showed, they are in good shape, "said the French coach.
"This week, we were able to work more. In small groups, of course, but we were able to do something more tactically, physically, technically ... it allows more things. So the team is better this week, and it will be even better the following week, in my opinion, "assured Zidane.
Like the majority of the Spanish football world, Zizou confirmed that the Madrid group is in a hurry to resume competition: "They like to train, but what they prefer is to play. They hope to play again", a pointed out the coach.
La Liga president Javier Tebas is pushing for the resumption of the Spanish championship, suspended since March 12. He hopes to relaunch the competition on June 12, although he will have to wait for the green light from the health authorities.
© 2020 AFP