Zidane: “Liverpool can’t say they’re hungrier than us”

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane spoke with the press during the team’s Open Media Day ahead of the crucial Champions League Final against Liverpool.

“I don’t know how hungry they are, but we definitely want more and nobody can say they’re hungrier than us. We’re Real Madrid and this club always wants more so we will give our best to achieve it,” said Zidane when asked about the desire to win of his players.

Much has been said about Liverpool’s attacking trio of Salah, Mane and Firmino, but Zidane thinks that the whole squad deserves credit.

“You always hear so much about the three players upfront but this is a team who reached the Final and they all deserve it just like we do. My job is to prepare for this game as always, trying to take advantage of their weaknesses,” explained Zidane.

Rumors suggest that Zidane could start the BBC of Benzema, Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo upfront even though he has often decided to play Isco or Vazquez instead. The French coach didn’t want to say to much about that, though.

“I’ve got 25 players at my disposal and they all have to get a chance because otherwise my message to them would not be working. All three members of the BBC are the best for me, they’ve proven time and time again that they are extremely good, but you also have to consider what you see day by day and I have to prove that what I say is also what I do. That doesn’t mean they won’t play together, but I will not tell you who will start,” said Zidane before adding that Bale “has done a very good job, not only scoring goals.”

He also praised Jurgen Klopp.

“I have not met him but he has done a phenomenal job. He’s great, he proved that in Dortmund and now in Liverpool, not only in the Champions League but also in the Premier League. I have huge respect for him,” explained Zidane.

The French coach said that it would not be a failure to lose this Final.

“It would not be a failure. To me, the failure happened when we were knocked out of the Copa del Rey at home, that was very tough. Madrid always want to win it all but sometimes you just lose. If you give it all there’s no failure. There are ups and downs in life and you just have to learn from your mistakes,” concluded the coach.