Zidane not losing sleep over Real Madrid injury crisis

Los Blancos have nine of their first-team players on the treatment table as they prepare to resume their European journey.

Zinedine Zidane has played down Real Madrid’s injury crisis saying he is happy with the players he has available ahead of the Champions League match against Atalanta.

Real Madrid will be without captain Sergio Ramos and talisman Karim Benzema when they take to the pitch at Stadio di Bergamo.

The experience of Dani Carvajal and Marcelo will also be missed by the Spanish champions in the last-16 first-leg tie.

Eden Hazard continues to struggle to shake off his fitness concerns while Zidane will also not be able to call upon Federico Valverde, Rodrygo Goes, Alvaro Odriozola, and Eder Militao.

“Everyone is talking about our injuries, but we’re just thinking about the players we have available,” the French manager told in his pre-match press conference, via Managing Madrid.

“We always go out to win and we’ll only be happy with a win.”

In 2018-19, Real Madrid exited Europe’s premier club competition at the last-16 stage after a humiliating 5-3 aggregate defeat at the hands of Ajax.

Atalanta, much like that Ajax team, are adept in attacking, having scored 53 goals in 23 Serie A games this season.

Asked if the upcoming opponents share similarities with the team that dumped them two years ago, Zidane replied: “This team is very good in attack and they’re good physically as well.

“I don’t like to compare teams, but I know it will be a good game.”