TIMELY BOOST

Zidane 'not thinking' about sack ahead of Borussia showdown

Ramos, who has not played for Madrid since November 11 because of a hamstring problem, completed full training for the second day in a row.

In Summary

• Ramos’s return could hardly come at a better time for Real, who have lost seven of their last nine Champions League games when missing their talismanic defender.

• Gladbach only need a point to advance but coach Marco Rose warned that such calculations count for nothing against the under-pressure Spaniards.

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos in action with Mallorca's Dani Rodriguez
Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos in action with Mallorca's Dani Rodriguez
Image: /REUTERS

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insisted he is not contemplating losing his job if his side fail to progress from the Champions League group stage.

The 13-time European champions, who have never failed to make it out of the groups, host Group B leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach on Wednesday needing to better Shakhtar Donetsk's result against Inter Milan in order to progress.

Local media reports suggest that Zidane will be sacked should Real not go through to the last 16, however the Frenchman insisted his only focus is on getting the three points, rather than his future.

"The club will do what they have to do (in the event of not qualifying), as they always do, but I'm only thinking about the game," Zidane told a news conference.

"I'm not thinking about anything else other than winning. I'm focused on tomorrow's game and we know what we have to do. It'll be tough, but we need to be able to walk off the pitch satisfied with our work.

"We know there's another game going on (Inter versus Shakhtar), but we're only thinking about our game. We're up against a tough side who will make life difficult for us.

"We know exactly what the situation is. We want to get the three points and finish top of the group; that's what we're all thinking about. All matches are important but this is a great chance to show what we are as a team."

Zidane will welcome back captain Sergio Ramos to the side after the defender missed the last six games through injury.

Gladbach only need a point to advance but coach Marco Rose warned that such calculations count for nothing against the under-pressure Spaniards.

“Such teams (like Real) function best under pressure,” Rose said prior to the team’s departure on Tuesday. “We also saw that against Inter Milan.”

Gladbach could have made sure of qualification last week but instead lost to Inter, desperate for a win, 3-2 at home.

“It will be a tough Real Madrid, that much is clear,” Rose said, with defenders Ramy Bensebaini and Toky Jantschke ruled out injured and Nico Elvedi still in doubt.

“Playing for a draw is never a wise decision,” Rose said. “We know what to expect and that we will need to defend really hard and with passion. But we also know that with our quality we will get our chances to be successful. We will try to use those. We will need a good, an outstanding performance and I am confident my team can do it.”