Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane still believes Pep Guardiola is the best despite the questions surrounding the Manchester City coach in England for the first time, with his team losing 14 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
"Zizou" faces Guardiola for the first time as a coach when the two teams meet in a major confrontation in the price of the Champions League final in February.
Zidane told a press conference before the royal confrontation against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish first division tomorrow Sunday that "his confrontation will be an exceptional occasion, I respected him a lot, and I respect him as a coach. I think he is the best coach in the world ... he has proven himself throughout his career, and of course I look forward to facing his team."
The midfielders have only met three times on the field, with Zidane joining Real Madrid as a player in 2001, while Guardiola's impressive career with Barcelona was at its end.
The two achieved great success in training, as the "philosopher coach" won eight league titles with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, in addition to winning the Champions League twice with Barcelona, while Zidane won the European title three times as a coach of Merengue.
Real Madrid are second in the league, on goal difference from Barcelona, and each has 36 points, after a 0-0 draw at the summit last Wednesday.
Zidane will miss injured duo Eden Hazard and Marcelo against Bilbao, who are seventh, and influential midfielder Casemiro will also be absent due to suspension.