Real Madrid focused ahead of Manchester City showdown

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane

REAL Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says his side are full focused ahead of their last four Uefa Champions League tie against Manchester City.

Los Blancos are in England ahead of Tuesday night’s first leg encounter, and head into the encounter in confident mood, having lost just once in their last 12 matches in all competitions.

“We are in a decent vein of form, probably the best of the season,” Zidane told reporters. “We are going to do the best we possibly can to score and try not to concede.

“It’s a game and tie that is 50/50. You can prepare all you want for a big game but then the game can turn out totally different to how you envisaged it. The important thing is to give 150%.”

The Frenchman is however wary of the quality City possess, yet feels there is a similar atmosphere in the dressing room to that of two years ago – the season Madrid lifted their tenth European crown.

“Our opponents are a great side,” he said. “If you give them space they can hurt you. The players get between the lines and cause problems. When we’ve not got the ball we must keep it tight and defend; when we have the ball we’ll try and hurt them.

“The players are really focused. In 2014, there was a similar atmosphere in the dressing room.”

Kick-off at the Etihad tonight is set for 20:45. Kickoff.com

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