MADRID: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane faces his first “clasico” at Barcelona knowing that nothing other than victory will be enough.

“I know how things are at this club. The important thing is to win,” he said.

The former midfield great replaced Rafa Benitez three months ago, but his star-studded team is virtually out of the Spanish league title race, 10 points adrift of Barcelona in third place.

Despite Madrid’s best chances at a trophy resting in the Champions League, Zidane says his team is focused on Saturday’s match at Camp Nou.

He says “maybe the game has a different role, but that won’t change anything for us. We will do our best and start strong”.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2016