Zidane focused winning Real Madrid's key Champions League clash

MADRID - Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane took a philosophical tone about his future when he spoke to the press ahead of Wednesday night's vital Champions League tie at home to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Real Madrid go into the game after a very irregular Champions League campaign that has seen them take just seven points from their five games and the press speculating that failure to reach the last 16 of the competition will see Zidane face the sack.

"I'm not going into that," he replied when asked if the game was a judgement on his future.

"All I am doing is thinking about the game and us doing things well; we have the ability to win and that is what interests me," he added.

When pressed on his future, he repeated that "we all know what we want to do - get the three points and win the group. That is all we have in mind... All games are important and we are preparing to play well and only thinking about winning," insisted Zidane.

"I am not thinking about getting sacked and that's the truth... The club will do what it has to do, all I am doing is thinking about the game," he commented, adding that neither was he "contemplating" the possibility of finishing third in the group and playing in the Europa League in the New Year.

Last Saturday saw Real Madrid save one match-ball against Zidane when they won 1-0 away to Sevilla and earlier this season they also beat FC Barcelona when the coach's future was being questioned.

"All of the players, myself and the club are all used to pressure and we know what is at stake," he concluded.

Club captain Sergio Ramos will return for the game and should give Madrid more stability in central defense for a key 90 minutes.