Real Madrid go into their Champions League quarterfinal with Monaco on Wednesday on the back of two defeats that have rocked the reigning Spanish champions.
An extra-time defeat to Real Zaragoza in the Spanish Cup final was a surprise but when the famous white shirts crashed 4-2 to Athletic Bilbao in the league on Saturday, it was the first time this season they had lost two consecutive matches.
However, Zinedine Zidane, who has been unable recently to lift the team in his normal fashion, dismissed suggestions that the team who have won the Champions League twice in the past four years are a diminished force as they prepare for the visit of Didier Deschamps’s side.
”We need to get our confidence, our game and our concentration back, but there is no frailness about us. I have no doubt about that,” Zidane said.
”We have lost two matches, that’s all. We have to forget these last two defeats and especially the one against Zaragoza, which really hurt.
”It’s always bad to lose in a final but that happens in the course of a season. But we can win against Monaco.”
The current World Player of the Year said the team is not tired and believes their problems have coincided with the absence of Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who missed the two defeats because of a thigh injury.
”We’re not exhausted. We’re still running as well as we were and as much as the others,” Zidane said.
”It’s not a physical problem and it’s not that we’re not creating any scoring chances. We are, but we’re missing Ronaldo.”
The Brazilian is set to play at least part of the match at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. And Real may need him as his fellow striker Raul is doubtful after injuring a thigh in the Bilbao match.
Roberto Carlos must sit out the game as the Brazilian left-back completes a two-match suspension for slapping Bayern Munich player Martin Demichelis in the previous round.
David Beckham, whose frustration was evident when he kicked over a water bottle after being substituted against Bilbao, is expected to start the match.
Monaco have also hit a rocky patch of domestic form — two draws in the league came either side of elimination from the French Cup at the hands of amateurs Chateauroux and they have lost the lead in the league to Lyon.
But as they seek to reach the semifinals of the Champions League for the first time since 1994, Deschamps can pick from a virtually full squad.
Central defender Sebastien Squillaci, one of the pillars of the team, is set to make his return after a month out with injury and Deschamps recognises his rearguard are the key over the two matches.
”I’m realistic,” said Deschamps. ”Player for player it’s weighed in their favour from the start. We will have to limit their chances and make the most of opportunities when we get one.
”But Real haven’t had the best preparation for this match either. For me, preparing for it has been exciting both tactically and psychologically.” — Sapa-AFP