Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane expects tough Celta Vigo trip

Posted Saturday, February 04, 2017 by PA

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is bracing his side for a tough game no matter what team Celta Vigo put out at Balaidos on Sunday - providing the match even goes ahead.

High winds and rain in Galicia led to Deportivo La Coruna's home game with Real Betis being postponed on Friday night, and it remains to be seen if Celta's match with Madrid will go the same way.

As was the case with Depor's Riazor stadium, the temporal weather in the region resulted in the roof of Celta's Balaidos ground being damaged and, according to reports in Spain, investigations were being made on Saturday as to whether the match can take place.

Celta boss Eduardo Berizzo said in La Voz de Galicia newspaper: "We are going through a good spell, but I want the people to enjoy it. The priority is the care of the spectators. They must be protected."

If the clash is given the green light, it could be that Berizzo will give some of his fringe players a chance even though they are facing star-studded Real Madrid, with Celta also fighting for a rare chance of Copa del Rey glory.

Berizzo's men were held 0-0 at home by Alaves in the first leg of their semi-final on Thursday and will play the second leg next Wednesday. Celta have only reached the final three times previously, with the last appearance back in 2001.

Whatever team Berizzo selects, though, Madrid boss Zidane is expecting a big test for his league leaders against their eighth-placed opponents.

Celta knocked Madrid out of the cup quarter-finals last month, winning 3-2 on aggregate, and Zidane said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday: "It will be a difficult game because it's a difficult ground. They are a good team, who know how to play and have good players.

"If I think that (Celta rotating their squad) is an advantage for us then I would be wrong.

"We have a very important league game, as do they. Celta's squad is good, like ours, and I'm not going to think about that.

"We know what awaits us, but we are prepared."

With nearest rivals Barcelona and Sevilla both facing potentially tricky matches this weekend - against top-seven sides Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal respectively - Madrid could extend their four-point lead at the summit with victory in Vigo.

Zidane does not believe that eventuality would be a decisive blow in the title race, though, adding: "Every game, every time we pick up points, it's going to be important.

"It's true it's a very difficult ground, but it's not the only difficult one we have to travel to. They are going to make things difficult for us I'm sure, but we have had a great week and are well prepared for the game."

Madrid are still without Gareth Bale for the foreseeable future but otherwise Zidane believes they could be at full strength by next week, with Luka Modric close to returning and Pepe, James Rodriguez and Marcelo already back in training.

Celta will be without goalkeeper Ruben Blanco and Claudio Beauvue for the game.