Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane had a pointed message for Primera Liga rivals Barcelona on Saturday by claiming the European champions “don’t depend” on anyone else to win.
Barca produced the biggest comeback in Champions League history on Wednesday with a remarkable 6-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain to complete a 6-5 aggregate win.
However, Barca’s win was overshadowed by a series of controversial calls from German referee Deniz Aytekin as he awarded the Catalans two penalties.
“Real Madrid is unique,” said Zidane when asked if controversial decisions in favour of Madrid are given more attention in the media.
“We know that we annoy certain people, but that is not going to change.
“If we win it is because we’ve played well, we don’t depend on anything or anyone else.”
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Read more
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■ Predictions: Chelsea set for shock defeat to Manchester United
■ Xabi Alonso: Will be remembered as a great teammate on great teams
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Madrid trail Barcelona by a point at the top of Primera Liga, but have a game in hand over their title rivals.
When further pushed on PSG’s complaints, the Frenchman tried to turn attention to Real’s league clash with Real Betis on Sunday.
However, he claimed the confidence gained from their remarkable recovery from a 4-0 first leg defeat won’t have a beneficial on Barca’s title charge.
“I can’t tell you what percentage (the referee influenced the game). What interests me is our game tomorrow,” added Zidane.
“They (Barcelona) are the same team. That isn’t going to change anything.”
Madrid had a far easier time in booking their place in the quarter-finals for a seventh consecutive season as a 3-1 win at Napoli on Tuesday rounded off a 6-2 aggregate win.
Zidane had made a series of changes for last weekend’s 4-1 win at Eibar to keep players fresh from the trip to Italy.
But, as Real target a first La Liga title since 2012, Zidane rejected suggestions he is prioritising Madrid’s quest to become the first side to retain the Champions League in 27 years.
“It is a long time since we have won La Liga,” said Zidane.
“It is a tremendous motivation. We can’t play every three days in the same way, with the same intensity and determination.
“We are motivated for both the Champions League and La Liga. This year we want to win this league.
“People may think we don’t give as much importance to La Liga, but inside the club it is not like that.”
* Agence France-Presse
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster with a decades-long career in TV. He has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others. Karam is also the founder of Takreem.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EZack%20Snyder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESofia%20Boutella%2C%20Djimon%20Hounsou%2C%20Ed%20Skrein%2C%20Michiel%20Huisman%2C%20Charlie%20Hunnam%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
