Final against Juventus will be special, says Zidane

Madrid May 11 (IANS) Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has said the Champions League final match against Juventus will be a special one.

Despite their 1-2 defeat in the semi-final return leg to Atletico Madrid Real booked their place in the final which will be played on June 3 in Cardiff.

A close range goal from Isco three minutes before the half-time was crucial as Real entered the summit clash on 4-2 aggregate after a brilliant start by their rivals on Wednesday.

For Atletico Saul Niguez and Antoine Griezmann were the goal-scorers.

It (the final) will be a special one because it s a club that also played a very important part in my career during my playing days and I see it as a club which has also given me a great deal. I m now the coach of Real Madrid the club of my life and it ll be a special final Zidane was quoted as saying by club s official website.

They (Juventus) also deserved to get through and it ll be an excellent final. Making the final for a second successive year is down to everyone s hard work. We ve still got three important league games left and then we ll start thinking about the final he added.

The 44-year-old former French footballer also praised Atletico who made a solid start in the match.

Atlético made a very strong start putting us under pressure and winning the second balls. They scored from a corner in which we weren t as alert and then from a penalty Zidane said.

We knew that we would have to dig in but also that if we remained calm and patient we would get our chances he added.

--IANS
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