While Real Madrid were celebrating their second Clasico win of the season over Barcelona on Saturday, Zinedine Zidane made a striking remark.
The Real Madrid boss indicated that his players are already their limit physically, and he is still unsure as to how they will finish the season.
The players' fatigue has been visible in recent games, and Vinicius Junior recently commented on just how tired he felt as well. But Real Madrid still have eight games to play in LaLiga Santander, and could have as many as four more to play in the Champions League as well.
Zidane, more than anyone, knows how important it is for this to be managed. In 2004, he was involved as Real Madrid collapsed while aiming for a treble under Carlos Queiroz. Then, Los Blancos had a 4-2 lead over Monaco in their Champions League quarter-final first leg, not dissimilar to the 3-1 lead they now have over Liverpool, but fell apart in the away leg.
His words to Giuly
On that day, April 6, 2004, Zidane's conversation with Ludovic Giuly made headlines.
"Ludo, can't you see that we're done," he said, after the Monaco player had jokingly suggested that Real Madrid should let them win that game, not believing they had a chance of overturning the deficit.
Parallels
Real Madrid lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Zaragoza that year, but the Monaco loss dug their graves. Then came a series of results that saw Valencia win the LaLiga title.
Then, eight players passed the 4,000-minute barrier, and two others went over 3,000 minutes.
This season, injuries have plagued Zidane's team. They've played 41 games, giving a maximum of 3,720 minutes, and four players have played over 3,000. Ten more have over 2,000, and Nacho is just 22 minutes away from 2,000.
Mental strength
Real Madrid are tired as the season has reached its decisive stage. But, unlike then, this team have a winning mentality. They showed it last season, and they're showing it again this term.
They hit rock bottom in January, but have come roaring back since. Zidane knows what is needed to get over the line again, but he's not sure if his players have enough in the tank to see things through.
Vuaknpsz
559
year 2050 real madrid midfielders
Sanctinolez
416
That was 2004 sir. There'd be no mistake this time. Hala Madrid
Mo-mujahid
386
they is no repeat we are going to finish the job tonight this is not Barcelona anymore this is Madrid
Mo-mujahid
360
this is not 2004 this is 2021 #hala madrid
ferdude
351
We’ve ought to give Real Madrid a round of applause they’ve struggled with injuries so hard this season and played max amounts of games
Mo-mujahid
286
lete finish the job this is not 2004
kingallfootball
248
HalA Madrid never rest until it is done Go Go Go Madrid
Sanctinolez
241
Barca chasing madrid like 😂😂This year is for Madrid
yayuyuyai
173
The moment Zizou said that I had 2004 flashbacks. Hopefully, this RM team won't collapse.
zhbappy
118
What a personality Zizu!!!!! Salute to you BOSS.... When all the other coach and managers are busy playing mind games and boosting confidence of players by saying half true / false things, he always speaks the real fact. I can't find any other manager who will say such negatives before such a crucial game.... But that's the way Zidane is.... that's the magic about him.... that's how he is different from all others.... that's how he is the only one in the universe to win 3 in a row.... #Hala Madrid