Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich: Zidane future does not depend on Champions League win
Zidane could lead the Spanish giants to a third consecutive Champions League title

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane says his job is not dependent on the Spanish club winning this season’s Uefa Champions League.
Real go into tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich with a 2-1 advantage after last week’s win in Germany and are within touching distance of a potential third title in a row.
Due to Real’s poor form in La Liga - they are 15 points behind champions Barcelona - Zidane has found himself under pressure and his position has been questioned by media and supporters.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, in Europe’s top club competition Zidane’s side are “on the verge of history” and could become the first team to reach three Champions League finals for the second time, says the Uefa website.
Speaking before the second leg against Bayern, Zidane “dismissed speculation over his future”, says Spanish publication Marca. He said: “It is independent of winning the Champions League: I want to continue at this club. But what matters to me is what we are doing now, how we play against Bayern. The rest we cannot speculate about.
“I don’t know if I can say I’m a better or a worse coach [than when he started]. Yes, I have more experience. There are many better coaches than me, but I have had the chance to live with this Real Madrid squad and do the things we have done.”
Even with their 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Zidane admits his side have a tough test against Bayern tonight and they must focus on progressing to the 26 May final in Kiev.
“This is a semi-final,” Zidane added. “We know the importance of this game and what I have said, I will repeat. We know what we have to do but we don’t have to change anything in what we are doing. [Real need] concentration and determination in what we want to do and what we are going to do.
“We don’t have to change many things, the only thing is that we are in a semi-final and what we did in the first leg was very good.”
Bayern travel to the Bernabeu looking to overturn the 2-1 deficit and head coach Jupp Heynckes has “delivered a rallying cry” to his side ahead of tonight’s second leg, the Daily Mail reports.
Heynckes said: “We still have one goal despite losing the first leg - make it to the Champions League final. We know Madrid want to prevent that, but I think desire can move mountains in football.”
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich (agg 2-1)
- When: tonight
- Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
- Kick-off time: 7.45pm UK
- TV channel: live on BT Sport 2
- Aggregate score after the first leg: 2-1
- Real Madrid team news: Real have a double injury worry with Isco and Nacho Fernandez “racing to be fit” for the clash against Bayern, Marca reports. Meanwhile, Wales forward Gareth Bale could start from the bench, says the Daily Mail.
- Bayern Munich team news: the BBC reports that Bayern will be without winger Arjen Robben for the second leg in Spain. However, the Germans could call upon left-back David Alaba and midfielder Javi Martinez as both players are expected to return from injury.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
5 tips to save on heating bills
The Explainer Follow these expert recommendations for a cozy and cheap winter
By Becca Stanek Published
-
Should you fire your financial adviser? 4 signs it's time to say goodbye.
The Explainer Breakups are never fun, but you have to protect your wallet
By Becca Stanek Published
-
The daily gossip: Man arrested in connection with shooting of Tupac Shakur, an OceanGate movie is in the works, and more
Feature The daily gossip: September 29, 2023
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Uefa Champions League 2022-2023 guide: group stage draw and key dates
feature Liverpool face Rangers while Man City’s Erling Haaland has a reunion with Dortmund
By Mike Starling Published
-
Uefa Champions League final: blame game begins for chaos in Paris
feature Liverpool call for an investigation as Uefa are accused of a ‘narrative of lies’
By Mike Starling Published
-
2022 Uefa Champions League final: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid preview, predictions and TV
feature Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s showpiece in Paris
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Karim Benzema: Panenkas, hat-tricks and a Ballon d’Or?
Why Everyone’s Talking About Real Madrid’s French striker was sensational yet again in the Champions League
By Mike Starling Published
-
Champions League: ‘what a night, what delirium’ as Real Madrid knock out Chelsea
feature Karim Benzema’s extra-time header puts Real through after a stirring comeback from holders Chelsea
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Holy Grail’: can Man City finally win the Champions League?
feature Pep Guardiola’s side thrashed Sporting 5-0 in the round of 16 first leg
By Mike Starling Published