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Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane previewed Thursday’s Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad —19:00 CET—. The Frenchman said that his team will need to play at their best level to advance to the Semifinals.
“We have to play as if it is a Final, not the Quarterfinals. They won’t give up and we have to be engaged from the get go. They’re a very good team and they’re proving it, I’m 100% focused on tomorrow’s game,” said Zidane.
He was asked about Martin Odegaard and Madrid’s plans about his future.
“I’m not planning anything. He’s one of our players and we’re happy about him performing so well. Tomorrow he will be our opponent and I’m sure that he will try his best. Of course I like him,” added the coach.
Striker Luka Jovic has revealed in a recent interview that he’s going through a rough patch right now. Zidane wanted to support the young attacker.
“We’re all trying to help Luka. He’s feeling better and comfortable inside our team. It might take him a while but this is normal. He needs to be patient and to keep working, that’s it,” said Zidane.
Star Eden Hazard will most likely play his first minutes after recovering from a foot injury he picked up in November. Zidane, however, refused to reveal his plans.
“You will see if he plays tomorrow, I’m sorry. We’re happy to have him with us. He had a tough injury and he’s feeling better day by day. We want to enjoy him for many years.”
The Frenchman was asked about Barcelona’s alleged crisis and he shared his thoughts.
“I won’t talk about other teams, they will compete until the very end of the season. They won’t have weaknesses and they will do a good job, we’re sure of that. We’re not thinking about it,” he said.
Zidane wrapped up the press conference admitting that the whole team is in very good shape at this point of the season.
“I think Varane was right when he said it. We’re all feeling that way. The team is in very good shape physically because of the work they’re all doing, but we have to prove it every three days,” concluded Zidane.