Raphinha scores hat-trick in 100th appearance for Barca
Brazilian winger Raphinha celebrated his 100th appearance for FC Barcelona with a hat-trick goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League encounter on Wednesday night.
UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid host Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night in what is set to to be a battle for top-spot in Group H and Real manager Zinedine Zidane has admitted the tie against the Premier League side will be akin to a final.
“It’s always a test for us against every team. We now have two games against Tottenham. Tomorrow is the first group final,” the Real Madrid manager said at the pre-match press conference.
Real have won both their games so far, but so have Tottenham Hotspur and coincidentally both sides have an identical goal difference going into Tuesday’s clash.
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“Both teams have the same points. It’s going to be a good match for everyone who likes football and hopefully we get the three points,” Zidane stated.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola termed Spurs as the Harry Kane team in September and Zidane is wary of the threat the forward possess, but doesn’t think the Lilywhites are just about a single player.
“He’s essential for Tottenham. He’s good at everything and he’s always thinking about the goal in everything that he does. He finds spaces and has speed, he’s very complete, Zidane admitted as he added, “But Tottenham are not just about Kane and we’re going to prepare for this game well”.
Los Blancos haven’t made the best of starts to their La Liga season, which has seen Zidane come under a barrage of criticism but the French tactician insisted he is unfazed.
“People can talk and have their opinion. I have to do my job as well as possible and not do silly things. I’m not going to invent anything, I try to do thing in the best possible way. Many may say otherwise, but that’s not going to change what I want to do,” Zidane added.
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