Former Real Madrid forward Nicolas Anelka has warned ex-team mate Zinedine Zidane the pressure is always on at the club and there are no excuses for failure.
Zidane stepped up to the manager’s job last month after Rafa Benitez was given his marching orders after just seven months. Los Blancos have won six and drawn two in all competitions under the Frenchman, but last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Malaga left the 10-time European champions nine points off the pace in the league.
While the official line from the players and manager are that they will fight for every point left in the title race, Los Blancos’ most realistic hopes of silverware this season rest with the Champions League. The defeated Roma last week to put one foot in the quarter finals of the competition.
Anelka knows what it is like playing in the pressure cauldron at the Santiago Bernabeu and he told France Football there are no excuses for failure.
“He likes football and he has the right qualities. He started with nice wins at the Bernabeu and I’m happy for him. But it is only the beginning and the road is long. At Real Madrid, the pressure is very strong. You’re never completely calm,” the former France international stated.
