Zidane: I’m going to fight to remain Real Madrid coach

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Many had thought Real Madrid’s Champions League tie with Paris Saint-Germain would define Zinedine Zidane’s future and the coach has stated his intention to remain in his current role.

A first leg win over Les Parisiens has been backed up by a goalfest victory over Real Betis in LaLiga, where Madrid face Leganes in midweek.

“Sometimes when answering [questions about the future], there are doubts, but until I get tired of this job, I will continue,” the Frenchman stated on Tuesday.

“I’m fine here, I’m going to continue to fight. But I will say that I take it day by day. With a long contract or not, it is day by day, that is what helps me be strong.

“I’m going to fight to stay here forever. If I am to continue, before the end of the season I will tell you. Just before.”

Ahead of the trip to Estadio Butarque, Luka Modric missed training and Zidane played down the severity of the Croatian’s problem.

“[Modric] has pain in his leg,” said the coach. “The situation is that he isn’t training, thinking only of recovering quickly.

“I don’t think it is much, but as always I have faith in all the people who work here; the physios and the doctors, so that it is small and he returns soon.”

The Frenchman did however insinuate that Cristiano Ronaldo will be rested for the match, while paying tribute to the effort levels that Gareth Bale continues to put in despite a poor run of form.

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“I don’t know how many years in a row [Ronaldo] has played 60 or 70 games, but he doesn’t stop,” claimed Zidane.

“There comes a moment when it is necessary for him, for the team, for everything, for him to not play. He is better this way.

“Of course we talk about it, for the good of everyone.”

“Gareth is the way he is, he tries to do his best and that is all. There is a lot of talk about him one way or another, but the important thing is to realise that the team is very important.

“I ask them to give their all and he tries to do that.”

When asked about his defence’s inability to keep clean sheets, with just one in their last ten games, Zidane chose to focus on the positives as Los Blancos look to win their game in hand at Leganes on Wednesday.

“I think we have played well, we are showing that and we want to continue with this good run, it is what we prepare for every week,” he noted.

“Tomorrow, we want to have the same concentration and intensity, to maintain the form we are on.”

That match kicks off at 18:45 CET and Real will go third with a win.

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