Wouldn’t be easy, concedes Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is preparing for his biggest game since taking charge as the Spanish giants eye a place in the Champions League quarter-finals against Roma on Tuesday.

Madrid hold a commanding 2-0 lead from the first leg in the Italian capital three weeks ago, but have little room for error with the Champions League their last realistic hope of a trophy this season after a poor domestic campaign.

“For me it is the most important game because it is the next one,” said Zidane.

“The only thing we have to do is win the game tomorrow. That is our goal, we need to think solely about tomorrow’s game.

“Many people think it is going to be easy and it won’t be.”

Indeed, Roma have won their last seven Serie A games since coach Luciano Spalletti’s return to the club in January to propel themselves back up to third.

Zidane laughed off suggestions Ronaldo could be entering his final few months at the Bernabeu before a big-money move at the end of the season.

“I am the coach and I want Cristiano,” said the Frenchman, who also played for Madrid between 2001 and 2006.

“They whistled me and everyone else. It is not questioning the player, it is a fan base that always wants more from their players and that is good for the players to improve and always do well.

“In the end, the fans love the players and that is the most important thing. I always see a full stadium and that says a lot.”

Ronaldo is expected to be joined in attack by Gareth Bale on Tuesday.