Real Madrid (‎Los Blancos) | Special Thread

Benzema will play his 100th Champions League match tonight.

81 with Real Madrid.
19 with Lyon.

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MARCA | Zidane appears to have decided on four central midfielders to pack the midfield.

Casemiro should start, while Kovacic is an alternative if Kroos or Modric aren't fully. If neither is ready, then Bale, Vazquez, Isco and Asensio will be fighting for two spots.
 
El Capitano:

"The Champions League is one of our favourite competitions. We took the first step at the Bernabéu and we've now got to try and finish the job off in the best possible fashion. Big players like to be involved in these big games and we have a marvellous opportunity tomorrow. We've come here to offer the best possible account of ourselves and we'll give every last ounce out there".

"When there's no margin for error it makes it like a cup final and tomorrow is one of those games. That's the way they're looking at it, just like in their previous knockout ties. I love football and enjoy every single day. We're in a privileged position and I'm trying to enjoy the time that I'm in the profession to the max. I retain the same excitement as when I started out, although my trophy haul is now rather different. I never tire of winning things and try to freshen myself up and get up for every game and go for every piece of silverware".

Referee
"The referee shouldn't be the centre of attention. There are two great teams and we'll both be looking out for ourselves. We're not expecting him to help or hinder either team and we want him to do his job as best he can. I don't think that any referee in the world goes out to try and make mistakes on purpose".

The atmosphere
"Every team tries to get under the skin of the opposition in their own particular way. It doesn't change anything for us. We continue on in the same way and with the same focus, because that's what this game demands of us. We'll be trying to do what we did to them back at our place. We've got great respect for PSG but we'll be looking to use our strengths to hurt them and progress to the next round".

Marcelo's return
"We're all happy whenever a teammate returns to fitness. Marcelo's return brings with it a joy to our play and he's a fine player. We're delighted that he's back in contention. It's always an advantage to have him available, not just in terms of our defence, but in attack too. He offers a great deal and he's another weapon that we can call on".

Neymar's absence
"Neymar is a unique player, there's nobody else like him in the world. Whatever team he's playing for, you always have to be on your guard. We've come up against his talents in recent years. It could well be Di María that comes in for him and it won't make a bit of difference. Perhaps Di María helps out more defensively and offers a greater all-round contribution".


"It can give you that extra bit of pressure or motiviation. We focus our season on the Champions League and the margin for error is so small that we can't afford to give anything away. We come here to give our all and intent on making sure that we're not found wanting in terms of our application and intensity".

Motivation
"I've never become tired of winning and I try to take things day by day. We love winning and tomorrow is one of those opportunities that can take you a step closer to experiencing the sorts of moments that you want to be involved in. It's not pressure, it's an added motivation".

His role in the game
"We don't know just yet who's going to play tomorrow. We each have a different role and we're all important. We've got good team spirit and we perform better when we think as a unit. It's the sort of game that I really enjoy. Let's hope that our players can keep their goalscoring runs up tomorrow, which will be key to overcoming PSG".

Alves's comments
"I'm not going to get into any debates. In the first leg, we got a lot of things right and some things we didn't do well and they made the most of them. Tomorrow is another chance to prove ourselves to the world and things can end up going well or badly. The tie is currently 50-50 between two great, world-class teams".

Experience in these types of games
"The tactial and mental side of things are important. They are key in these types of games because the slightest thing that makes you lose your contention can see you make a mistake that gets you knocked out. We all have to be totally switched on".

 
Zidane:

"We've come here to play our game. We're all ready and that's why the whole squad is here. We've now got our final training session, we're focused and ready for the game".

"Things will be difficult for one of the two teams at the final whilst tomorrow night but that's the way it goes in football. What I want to see and what we have to do is put in a good performance. We know that we'll have to dig in and that they'll make life hard for us, but we'll have to dig deep and play our game".

Atmosphere
"We're used to all of this. What we have to do is just focus on the game because it's 11v11 and the referee, who'll be doing his job. We just have to focus on playing our game. The atmosphere will be ferocious but it's just another game".

Return to France
"This is Paris and I'm from Marseille (laughter). It's always a pleasure to return to France. I don't get over very often and it's special to be here. However, we've come here to play a game of football with Real Madrid. The important thing is that we're ready to put in a good perfomance against a great team that'll be doing all they can to make things difficult for us. I hope that it'll be a great spectacle".

Not conceding
"You can't control that. If you take the lead it doesn't mean anything. You've got to be ready for the unexpected, both if we score and if we end up conceding. We'll have to perform for the full 90 minutes".
WE'LL HAVE TO BE READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED AND PERFORM FOR THE FULL 90 MINUTES.

"I've been here for a few years now with this group. It's always a tricky task to pick a starting XI from this squad because they all want to play. However, part of my job is to pick the team that'll play tomorrow. I'm not going to tell you anything about the team that I'm going to put out. We're ready and I believe that all of them are capable of playing".

Neymar's absence
"It doesn't change anything whilst at the same time it changes everything. He's an exceptional player, but for us it doesn't make any difference because another player will come in and he'll be really up for it and will want to put in a great performance. In terms of motiviation it doesn't alter a thing because we'll still be up against very competitive opposition with some great players".

Di María
"He's a tremendous player who has made history with Real Madrid. He's capable of playing anywhere across the midfield. He's quick, moves well and has a good shot on him. We'll try and put a side out that'll see us play our own game and prevent them from making life difficult for us".

Key game
"It's not a cup final. It's the return leg of the Champions League round of 16 and we're aware just how important it is. It'll be a tough game, but we'll be aiming to put in a great performance and we're used to playing in these sorts of game. Tomorrow we'll have to produce some good football".

 
PSG Ultras outside of Real Madrid hotel last night.

Speechless...

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