Off the wire
Cross-border drug ring busted in SW China  • Burundi marks taxpayer's day with call to promote patriotism  • UN to launch 94 humanitarian projects in E. Ukraine  • District attorney vows "no stone unturned" to look into Oakland fire  • Chinese firm to invest in Zimbabwe tin mine  • Sichuan Airlines launches Jinan-Los Angeles service  • China offers favorable tax policies to bring down corporate debt  • China's economy gradually stabilizing: economist  • Top graft-buster calls for checking supervisory power with regulations  • Zambian union calls for establishment of deposit protection scheme  
You are here:   Home

Madrid will go for win at home to Borussia Dortmund

Xinhua, December 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insisted his side would go all out to win their final game of the Champions League group stage at home to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night.

Madrid need to win the game in order to finish top of their group and assure a home tie in the return leg when the knockout stages of the competition kick off in February.

"We are playing a final, a final to decide the group. We're playing at home and we are not going to speculate. We're going to try and finish top of the group," said Zidane in Tuesday's pre-game press conference.

He was asked about his side's run of form which has seen them lose just 2 of their last 50 matches.

"I'm very lucky, but it's not all down to luck; I'm doing the job I love and I'm at a great club who gave me the opportunity to play here, which is something not everybody can do, and to be the coach," he said, adding the "hard work and passion" of his players was also a key factor.

Zidane also discussed the situation of James Rodriguez, who is struggling to get game time this season. The coach insisted he didn't want James to be sold saying that as the season progresses he would, "need the whole squad".

He also responded to questions about Karim Benzema's poor form of late.

"He can do more, but he is always working to improve. I don't have any problem ... He is focused, concentrated. I' m not going to judge a player on one game," said Zidane who confirmed that Alvaro Morata and Tony Kroos were both available on Wednesday after recovering from a hamstring and foot injury respectively. Endit