Madrid (AFP)
"I think it's not bad," said French Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane about the new format of the Champions League, he said Wednesday at a press conference before the reception of Valencia for the 29th Liga day, Thursday.
"I find it pretty good to make the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final in one game. But before that, we have our knockout round against Manchester City, and we will do everything to pass. But I think That's good, yes. Especially to do it in one place, there will be 15 days when everything will be decided ", appreciated the French technician this Wednesday evening at a press conference.
UEFA formalized on Wednesday the format of the final phase of the Champions League, which had to be stopped due to the pandemic of new coronavirus. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will take place in a single match in Lisbon from August 12 to 23.
"As we are going through a particular moment, everything will be special until the end of the season, and the same for the Champions League. The only thing we do not know is where we will play our 8th final return match against City. But we will adapt, "said the coach.
"Zizou" participated in a press conference at an unusual time this Wednesday at 8:15 pm, just before the collective training the day before the match at 9:30 pm.
"We are going to play our next four matches at ten o'clock in the evening, and I think it is important to do at least training at match time, to have the sensations, and also to get used to the light. We don't know if we're going to repeat this, but I think it's important, "he said.
Thursday evening at 10 p.m. in its small Di Stefano stadium (6,000 seats), Real Madrid receives Valencia CF, the Champions League team this season (eliminated by Atalanta Bergamo in the round of 16), in an attempt to reduce its gap by five points with the leader Barça, winner of Leganes 2-0 Tuesday evening.
© 2020 AFP