Real Madrid are full of confidence, insists Zidane


Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insists his side travel to Barcelona on Saturday full of confidence after opening up a six-point lead over Luis Enrique's side at the top of La Liga.

 The La Liga leaders haven't tasted defeat all season amid a 32-game unbeaten run stretching back to April.

 Just prior to that streak starting, Madrid ended a 39-game unbeaten run by Barca by coming from behind to win 2-1 at the Camp Nou.

 And Zidane believes Madrid will have far more confidence to express themselves having started very nervously on their last visit before roaring back to win in the final half hour.

 Zidane thinks Cristiano Ronaldo will be crucial for Real Madrid at Barcelona

 "Tomorrow will be totally different," Zidane said at his pre-match press conference..

 "Last year we went there with our buttocks clenched, I apologise for the language, but we need to have the same mentality.

 "I want us to be just as prepared as we were last year, but play like we are now."

 Barca's performance in a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad last weekend was described by Barca boss Luis Enrique as they worst in his three season tenure.

 Barcelona could only draw 1-1 at Real Scoeidad last weekend
However, Zidane expects the response of champions from Barca to a week of stinging criticism.

 "We are playing against a champion and in the big games the champions are always good in the big games."

 Madrid will be without the injured Gareth Bale for the trip to the Nou Camp with the Welshman set to be sidelined for up to four months after undergoing ankle surgery.

 However, Zidane is hoping Cristiano Ronaldo's return to form can fill Bale's void after the Portuguese scored five times in his last two outings to move clear as La Liga's top scorer on 10 for the season.

 Ronaldo will lead the line for Real at the Nou Camp

 "He is very important for the rest of the team because he has tremendous energy," the Frenchman said.

 "He still has the hunger to win and that is good for the group."

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