Zinedine Zidane insists the focus should not be on his personal rivalry with Pep Guardiola when Real Madrid take on Manchester City on Wednesday.
City travel to Madrid in the Champions League for a game that could define the seasons of both clubs. It also sees former Barcelona manager Guardiola return to the Bernabeu as he looks to win the Champions League for the first time since leaving the Nou Camp.
Ahead of the game, Zidane was asked about his personal relationship with Guardiola, as well as whether he considers the Spaniard to be the best manager in world football at the moment.
"It's Real Madrid vs Manchester City, not Zidane vs Guardiola," the Madrid boss told reporters.
"What people want to see is a game of football between Madrid and City. It's an attractive game."
Zidane added: "He's shown it at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. There are a lot of [top] coaches, but I think it's him (who is the best manager in the world)."
Madrid have gone two games without a win to slip down to second in La Liga, but Zidane insists his players are focussed on bouncing back against City.
He continued: "There are lots of teams who like to have the ball. Every side you play against is always going to have certain strengths, and it's our job to cancel them out. City are a side with many strengths, including possession. But it's also about what we do - that's what we're interested in.
"What we have to do is put in a good performance. It's all about that. We have to focus on what we've been doing well, not on one or two bad results. We're playing well and we have to put in a good display tomorrow.
"What we want is for our fans to be proud of us. We have to give our all, we know how important the game is and how special it is, and we want to give the supporters something to shout about."
Also speaking to reporters was Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, who spoke about his respect for Guardiola, despite his history at Barcelona.
"I have a lot of respect for him," Ramos said. "He's a top coach with a lot of experience, and his achievements speak for themselves. What we're motivated by is [trying to win] the Champions League.
"The team are in high spirits despite the bad recent results. It's going to be a tough game and for those of us who like this kind of game, it's going to be a special night.
"This is a chance to send out a statement. There's no time to feel sorry for ourselves - the results will come."
jowacdoptz
588
Zidane should allow Mendy to join the attack bcos of his pace and stay back Ramos,Varane.Casmiro will also go forward a bit bcos of his shot power,Isco free raom,Benzema drop back to help the midfielders...Now Jovic alone can do all the clinical finishing
ManUtdRed
578
Best manager in the world?? Most of them will say KLOPP Some will say ZIDANE Others will say PEP But CHRIS WILDER has done something even more remarkable,He took S'field Utd from League One to PL within 3 seasons,and now they are competing for European place with very small budget.
lordofUtterbol
495
Man, these 2 managers are really showing rest how to behave even after reaching the pinnacle. Both of them have got almost trophies in their managerial career. But no trash talking even having been players, managers and talismans of bitter rival clubs. RESPECT TO BOTH OF THEM.
mzeereal
393
Respect.. one bald man show his respect to another one.. 😂 the bald derby will be super lit.🔥🔥🔥
sehajbains_02
306
The best managers of 21st century... 1. Sir Alex Ferguson 2. Zidane . It is next to impossible to win UCL thrice consecutively in this competitive era of Football
Vozcemnt
8
Zidane should allow Mendy to join the attack bcos of his pace and stay back Ramos,Varane.Casmiro will also go forward a bit bcos of his shot power,Isco free raom,Benzema drop back to help the midfielders...Now Jovic alone can do all the clinical finishing
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bro I'm a Barca fan and I hope zidane does not take your advice because,,,that's a great strategy