After the Granada victory over Barcelona, the La Liga title race has taken a new turn and the title race is wide open again. And it is during this exciting situation Real Madrid would start another weak where their strong mentality would be tested once again. For Zinedine Zidane, this has been the toughest season and till now, he has kept the fight alive.
Six Los Blancos players have already played more than 3,000 minutes this season, but Zidane is satisfied with the way he has dealt with injuries and rotation so far.
“We have done what was convenient,” Zidane said during Friday’s pre-match press conference.
“It is not easy to manage a squad like Real Madrid, because everyone has an opinion.”
“It is not easy, but even so we have had many difficulties. Whose fault it is? You do not have to try to find out; it is a somewhat strange year in every way.”
“But above all the preparation is fundamental and we have not had any preparation and then it has been very complicated.”
“If you do not prepare in time, these things can happen. We manage it in the best possible way.”
Regarding the defeat of Barca Zidane said, “Nothing will change [after Barcelona’s defeat].”
“We do not control what’s happening around [us]. We are going to select the best team to win [against Osasuna on Saturday].”
“We have had many changes, many injuries, but the important thing is that those who are can compete.”
“I am not happy about the rivals’ defeats. It will be difficult, and we are going to try.”
“There are seven games to go and we are not thinking about the end.”
“I’ll tell you what I think,” explained Zidane.
“Maybe we have had a few more injuries, so arriving at this point after so many difficulties means that I am very happy with what we have done.”
“You know, when there are six or seven very important players missing you ask yourself what is happening, but we are moving forward.”
Asked if he will rotate his team against Osasuna on Saturday ahead of next Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final against Chelsea next week, Zidane indicated that some players could be rested.
“Not everyone will be able to play tomorrow,” declared Zidane.
“Some will not play and it is true that I can be a bit tough, but you cannot think about Wednesday’s game before tomorrow’s one. We have to do well tomorrow.”
“Mental or physical freshness is important, but as I said the most important thing is that we do what we have to do with the ball and do a bit more in attack, and we are working on that.”
“It is good to know that there are four teams that can win the league.”
