Zidane: Reach Milan or we have failed

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane believes his team have an obligation to reach the Champions League final in Milan.

Madrid - Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane believes his team have an obligation to reach the final in Milan.

‘It’s going to be difficult but if we don’t advance it will be a failure,’ he said. ‘We have been saying that we haven’t won anything yet. Our goal is to advance. We will do our best to try to make it happen.’

Home advantage is a huge factor at the Bernabeu Stadium, where Real have crushed all-comers in this season’s Champions League - winning all five home games while outscoring opponents 18-0.

Real Madrid defensive midfielder Casemiro said: ‘Home advantage will help. Our fans are strong and that gives us a small advantage. We’re counting on the fans and I’m sure they will not let us down.”

Goalkeeper Keylor Navas agreed, saying: ‘That feeling when the fans inside the Bernabeu get behind you is unexplainable. We’ll be trying to chase every ball and each player is going to be giving their best to ensure that everything works out.’

But Cristiano Ronaldo warned: ‘If Manchester City made it to the semi-finals it’s because they’re an excellent team. Knocking out Paris Saint-Germain is not an easy task, but they managed to do it. They are a team with very few weaknesses.’

City defender Eliaquim Mangala said the scoreless draw in the first leg of the semi-final was not a bad result for his team and added: ‘We defended very well and didn’t concede which was very important for us. We know that it will be a tough game against Real Madrid and they play well at home, but we did well in the other rounds.’

Daily Mail