Real Madrid v Leganes preview: 'Best squad in the world' not enough for Zinedine Zidane

By AFP

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insists his squad must not rest on their laurels after blowing a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Polish champions Legia Warsaw in midweek.

Zidane's side return to La Liga action on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 10:55am, at home to Leganes and the former France international wants a more rounded performance from his side.

"I always think that I have the best squad in the world, but at the same time that is not enough," said Zidane.

Only Mateo Kovacic's equaliser five minutes from time ensured Real's 27-game unbeaten streak remained intact, as Legia took their first Champions League point for 21 years.

"We need to go out onto the pitch and always play at our top level for 90 minutes," Zidane added. "To be persistent is the hardest thing in football."


Despite Real's unbeaten run and still enjoying a two-point lead at the top of La Liga, the club haven't kept a clean sheet in 10 games in all competitions.

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Zidane will once again be without his preferred central defensive pairing of captain Sergio Ramos and Pepe due to injury on Sunday, but called on the whole team to defend better as a unit.

"It doesn't worry me," he said. "I don't like conceding goals and the players like it even less, but it is a question for everyone, not just the four defenders.

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"We can all improve and what I am going to try to do is impose more calm."

Image: Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has warned his players against complacency ahead of their league clash with Leganes on Sunday

Real have received a big injury boost, though, with the return of Luka Modric after a month on the sidelines due to knee surgery.

The Croatia international is likely to start on the bench against Leganes, but Zidane hopes to hand Modric some game time in the second-half.

"He is in the squad," Zidane said. "The idea is that he will have minutes and we'll see tomorrow. The important thing is that he is okay and has completely recovered."

Zidane confirmed Karim Benzema will miss out due to a hamstring problem, so Alvaro Morata will join Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.

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