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Zinedine Zidane insists Real Madrid are happy to be in Saudi Arabia as they prepare for the controversial revamped Spanish Super Cup.<\/p>\nZinedine Zidane insists Real Madrid are happy to be in Saudi Arabia as they prepare for the controversial revamped Spanish Super Cup.<\/p>\n
Four of La Liga\u2019s biggest names have traveled to the Middle East, with Real playing Valencia on Wednesday and Barcelona facing Atl\u00e9tico Madrid the following day before a final on Sunday.<\/p>\n
All three fixtures will take place at the King Abdullah Sports City as Saudi Arabia continue to stage major sporting events following on from the Italian Super Cup and Anthony Joshua\u2019s heavyweight boxing victory over Andy Ruiz Jr.<\/p>\n
The change of format and decision to host the finals in Jeddah have come in for intense criticism, with some reports in Spain suggesting Valencia had sold just 26 tickets for their clash with the 10-time Supercopa winners.<\/p>\n
But Madrid boss Zidane is pleased to be part of the tournament as he aims to take another piece of silverware back to the Bernabeu.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve not come here to make up the numbers, it\u2019s an important competition and we want to give our all,\u201d Zidane said at his pre-match press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that it\u2019s going to be tough, but we have to play to our best.<\/p>\n
I’m happy to be here because it’s an important competition and one that my players and I are up for.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy to be here because it\u2019s an important competition and one that my players and I are up for.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re here to play in the Spanish Super Cup, we\u2019ve received a really warm welcome and are delighted with the welcome we\u2019ve been given in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re abroad but we adapt to things. We\u2019re fully focused on the semi-final, which for us is like a cup final.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karim Benzema, missing through injury this time out, netted a last-gasp equalizer to earn Real a 1- 1 draw when the clubs met at the Mestalla last month and Valencia midfielder Francis Coquelin believes they can go one better this time around.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re up against very tough opponents in Real Madrid,\u201d the former Arsenal midfielder told Valencia\u2019s official website.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe played them very recently and they are a side who demand a lot from you.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, we\u2019ve done a good job against big sides so far this season. We need another great game in order to progress from the semi-final.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re obviously not going to Saudi Arabia for a holiday. We\u2019re going there to win and to get the trophy.\u201d<\/p>\n