‘We are proud to play in this stadium!’: Zinedine Zidane strikes back at Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool boss criticized Real Madrid for fighting the Champions League quarter-final on their small 6,000-capacity training ground
Zidane Zidane slammed Jurgen Klopp back after the Liverpool boss regretted Real Madrid’s decision to host the Champions League quarter-final in their modest 6000 training ground.
Madrid played throughout the pandemic in their Alfredo Di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas due to development work on the famous Santiago Bernabeu, but Klopp still made an exception after the match.
After the 3-1 defeat, Klopp remarked that Liverpool would set up at least the second innings in a ‘real stadium’, but Zidane now has his opinion and maintains that he has no opinion on what his counterpart thinks.
Zidane Zidane slammed Jurgen Klopp over comments at Madrid’s training stadium
The Reds fell to Alfredo Di Stefano on Tuesday night to a 3-1 defeat in the Champions League
Klopp told reporters during his post-match press conference: ‘It was strange tonight because it was really difficult with the stadium (on Madrid’s training ground), but Anfield is at least a proper stadium and it will be good for us.
“It must be a very difficult task for Real Madrid at Anfield,” Klopp added.
When told about Klopp’s words, after the final whistle, Zidane simply told reporters in Spain: ‘I have no opinion on what Jurgen is saying, we are proud to play in this stadium.
‘Liverpool are the opponent and we know they will leave everything they have on the field, I have no doubt about that.
Zidane defended Madrid’s small Valdebebas field and insisted that his men were proud to play there
“Anfield is at least a proper stadium and that would be good for us,” said Klopp.
“We just have to be ready and it’s going to be a very good second leg match. We will have to do the same in the second leg. ‘
The Frenchman added: ‘We are happy with the result, but we did not win anything.
“We are happy with the performance and what the players have done is great after a lot of problems in our season.”
Liverpool have taken shape when it comes to reversing deficits against Spanish rivals, having needed four goals to get past Barcelona in the 2019 semi-finals.
The Reds were beaten 3-0 at the Nou Camp with a view to a sublime performance from Lionel Messi, although they somehow managed to secure a 4-0 reverse victory at Anfield, although they without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Madrid are now in control of the Champions League match thanks to a prop from Vinicius Junior
Much of the victory is due to the roaring atmosphere of Anfield, who will be absent next week when Madrid honk with Klopp’s men again.
The winners of the draw will face Chelsea or Porto in the semi-finals.
Chelsea are currently the frontrunners in the match, having secured a significant 2-0 victory in Portugal on Wednesday night, with goals from Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell.
