Zinedine Zidane Issues Stern Warning To Real Madrid Who Have Not Won La Liga Since 2017

Zinedine Zidane has issued a warning to his Real Madrid players ahead of their crucial La Liga fixture against Getafe.

Zidane has put the “harsh reality” in front of his players saying they have not won anything yet and if they want to pip Barcelona in the race to win the La Liga title, which the Los Blancos have not won since 2017, the players must remain focused.

Real Madrid are currently table toppers in the Spanish league but they are just one point clear. They still have a game in hand, which is the Getafe fixture, and if they manage to win it, they can go four points ahead of defending champions Barcelona.

“It’s my job to warn you you’ve won nothing yet. This is the harsh reality. The truth of the matter. There are six games left with 18 points at stake. We are one point ahead, nothing more. Being on the right track is one thing, but we will have to repeat this until the end of the season,” Zidane said in a pre-match interview.

Real Madrid, who have won all their five matches since La Liga resumed in June after the coronavirus break, will be without Eden Hazard against Getafe after the Belgium winger had limped off during his side’s 1-0 win over Espanyol on Sunday. It is understood that he has hurt his right ankle, on which he had surgery in March.

Speaking about Hazard’s situation, Zidane said, "We shouldn’t panic. He spent a long time away from the pitch, he’s had to go through some difficulties. I have no doubt that Eden will be well again soon.”

Real are currently alive in the Champions League as well but they trail Manchester City 2-1 in a last-16 tie that is scheduled to be played in England early August.

“I was a player, I went through this situation, I lived this experience. I know very well what it is, and the players know very well that nothing has been won yet,” explained Zidane.

Real’s veteran player Karin Benzema has been in a hot form, having scored 22 goals across all competitions ahead of his captain Sergio Ramos, who is their second-highest goal-scorer this season with 10 goals to his name so far.