Zidane: 'Barcelona will be fighting for everything this season'

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane won’t underestimate Barcelona despite their rivals’ ongoing troubles.

Major changes beckon at Barcelona upon finishing the 2019/20 campaign trophyless for the first time in 12 seasons, with Ronald Koeman replacing Quique Setien as manager for this term

The former Blaugrana defender is tasked with rebuilding the club back to its glory days and, therefore, has made some bold decisions.

Selling Luis Suarez, who is Barcelona’s third-highest scorer of all-time, to rivals Atletico Madrid was a daring move to say the least. He’s also shown the door to Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic, and Nelson Semedo.

Philippe Coutinho, however, has returned to the fold after a season on loan at Bayern Munich. Miralem Pjanic, Trincao, Matheus Fernandes and Pedri have also arrived in the summer transfer window.

The biggest boost for Koeman’s revolution, though, was retaining Lionel Messi despite the skipper handing in a transfer request.

Therefore, Zidane refuses to underestimate Barca’s threat this season as Real Madrid continue their La Liga title defense away to Real Betis on Saturday night.

“I will be respectful. Besides, I don’t know what’s going on inside, that’s why I don’t want to get involved,” said the Frenchman as quoted on Diario AS.

“I think each club has their own issues and difficulties. I think Barcelona, in terms of the team and the squad, is a club who will be fighting for everything.

“I don’t have any doubt.”

The reigning Spanish champions have made some changes to their own squad this summer. Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez, for example, have both sealed Premier League moves to Tottenham and Everton respectively.

No signings have been made to replace the duo or strengthen the team, though, with club president Florentino Perez ruling out any major signings before the 2019/20 campaign had officially ended.

The only major change so far is the return of Martin Odegaard after Zidane ended the Norwegian midfielder’s loan spell at Real Sociedad early. However, he hasn’t ruled out opening the checkbook one more time either.