Miguel Portugal Delhi Dynamos FC ISL season 4 2017/2018ISL

Miguel Portugal - 'Real Madrid have not given up on catching Barcelona'

Former Real Madrid player Miguel Angel Portugal feels that the Los Blancos have not given up on catching La Liga leaders Barcelona as they prepare for the El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. 

The showdown between Spain's two biggest teams has already generated plenty of excitement all over the world and Miguel Angel Portugal, who is currently coaching Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Delhi Dynamos, shares the same. 

Miguel Portugal, who spent four years at the Santiago Bernabeu, has also coached the Real Madrid B and C teams in the past. 

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"As long as there are matches to be played, there will always be chances to catch up. Real Madrid had never given up and they are not going to give up now," Portugal told Goal

He went on to state that Real Madrid are coming into this game in a good frame of mind, mentally and physically, after their victorious FIFA Club World Cup campaign earlier this month.

Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid

"Sure, after competing very well in the Champions League and winning the FIFA Club World Cup, they (Real Madrid) arrive very fit. In these kinds of matches, people always talk about the fittest of the teams but usually, they are won by the team which is written off. (However) Barcelona also arrives fit," he said. 

The 62-year-old also opined that Real Madrid do not have to worry about either Cristiano Ronaldo or Karim Benzema's form and backed the duo to start firing on all cylinders soon while asserting that Real Madrid do not need to sign a replacement for them yet.

"The January transfer window hasn’t been a good option for Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are great scorers and it is only a matter of time before they start scoring again."

Zinedine Zidane Real Madrid Club World Cup training 11122017GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty

Portugal also felt that after winning the Champions League twice in two years and the La Liga last season, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane's job is extremely secure even if they fail to land any silverware this season. 

"Zidane has enough credit to continue in spite of what you say. What is important is the daily work he does with the team and not what he got as a reward. When you don’t get titles it is because there is another team also working fine and fighting for the titles. But if there is a good work behind the team, it is not necessary that the coach should be fired."

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