Zidane Zidane: Banning Real Madrid from next season's Champions League would be absurd

French manager insists he is not considering any sanctions by Uefa after the collapse of the European Super League spearheaded by club president Perez

Fans gather outside the stadium to protest against the European Super League prior to the La Liga match between Cadiz and Real Madrid on Wednesday, April 21. Getty

Fans gather outside the stadium to protest against the European Super League. Getty

Fans gather outside the stadium to protest against the European Super League. Getty

The Cadiz team bus is welcomed in by fans prior to the La Liga match against Real Madrid. Getty

Fans gather outside the stadium to protest against the European Super League prior to the La Liga match between Cadiz and Real Madrid. Getty

Cadiz's Alvaro Negredo, left, and Salvi Sanchez wear t-shirts that read in Spanish: "Super League? Soccer belongs to everyone" and "Soccer belongs to supporters" prior to the match. AP

Karim Benzema scores their first goal against Cadiz rom the penalty spot. Reuters

Real Madrid's Alvaro Odriozola celebrates scoring their second goal against Cadiz. Reuters

Karim Benzema scores the third. Reuters

Karim Benzema celebrates. Reuters

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez arrives at a radio station to give an interview. Reuters

Zinedine Zidane has said the idea that Real Madrid could be banned from next year's Champions League is "absurd" after the attempt to form a breakaway competion collapsed in spectacular fashion.

Real president Florentino Perez was the driving force behind the European Super League that launched last week, sparking an angry backlash from fans, players and managers across the continent.

Madrid will host Chelsea in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg, with the threat of expulsion from next term's competition by Uefa still hanging over their heads.

"It's absurd to think that we won't be in the Champions League next season," Zidane said on Monday.

"A lot has been said, but all we can do is focus on tomorrow's game. We're not in control of the rest so there's always going to be talk, but for me of course you want to see Madrid in next season's Champions League.

"The president [Perez] knows what I feel [about the Super League] in my heart. We're just focused on tomorrow's game.

"The rest is not that we are not interested, it's just not the moment to talk about it."

Perez was one of the main protagonists in driving the failed Super League, that was launched on Sunday, April 18 but fell apart just 48 hours later.

England's 'big six' clubs had signed up to the project, but Chelsea and Manchester City withdrew on Tuesday and the plans quickly crumbled.

Liverpool 0 Real 0: player ratings

LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian did not see much action against a cautious Real but he was alert when needed. The best moment was a superb stop when Vinicius ran free on goal in the second half. PA

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. The 22-year-old was impressive at both ends of the pitch. He did not allow Vinicius the same freedom as in the first leg. The team rely too much on the full-back's crossing but his delivery was very good. PA

Nathaniel Phillips - 6. The centre back was lucky to get away with a mistake when he was robbed by Benzema but he stood strong overall. He made a couple of cynical challenges when caught out. Getty Images

Ozan Kabak - 6. The Turk gave the ball away too often but was not put under severe pressure by Real. He was quick to stop counter-attacks. Substituted for Jota with 30 minutes left. AFP

Andrew Robertson - 6. The Scot worked relentlessly up and down the wing and provided an outlet when the central players needed help. He always looked for the crossfield pass to release teammates into space. Reuters

James Milner - 7. The 35-year-old went close with a shot from distance and put himself about. He made a crucial interception in his own area before being replaced by Thiago on the hour. Getty Images

Fabinho - 7. The Brazilian was much better than in the first leg. He ensured his side had the advantage in midfield and protected the defence. AP

Georginio Wijnaldum - 6. The Dutchman was keen to get forward and executed a couple of splendid turns in midfield to get attacks started. He had one great chance but skied the ball over the bar just before half time. EPA

Mohamed Salah - 6. The Egyptian wasted a wonderful chance to bring his team back into the tie early in the first half. He kept the defence unnerved but was unable to make his menace pay off. Getty Images

Roberto Firmino - 6. The Brazilian failed to pick out Alexander-Arnold when in a dangerous position before the break. He had a number of half chances in the second period, the best of which was blocked by Militao. He made way for Oxlade-Chamberlain with eight minutes left. Getty Images

Sadio Mane - 6. The Senegalese started brightly and made life difficult for Valverde. He never carried through with the threat and faded before being replaced by Shaqiri in the 82nd minute. Getty Images

SUBS: Thiago Alcantara - 5. The 30-year-old came on for Milner with half an hour left but could not change the game. By then Real were sitting deep and the passing lanes were closed down. Reuters

Diogo Jota - 6. The Portuguese replaced Kabak in the 60th minute but found himself aiming for goal from narrow angles. He shot into the side-netting but never worried Courtois. Reuters

Xherdan Shaqiri - 6. The Swiss had lots of touches in the eight minutes remaining after he replaced Mane but the defence kept him at arm’s length. He tried hard to no avail. Getty Images

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5. The Englishman joined the game after Firmino’s substitution with eight minutes left. He had one good run in stoppage time but it finished with an aimless cross. PA

REAL MADRID PLAYER RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 8. The Belgian made two vital saves from Salah at the beginning and end of the game, the first setting the tone for the match. In between he was excellent, making a spectacular full-stretch stop from Milner. EPA

Federico Valverde - 7. The midfielder was deployed at right back. He struggled with Mane early on but grew into the game and produced a fine pass to create a chance for Vinicius. PA

Eder Militao - 7. The Brazilian made a fantastic block from Firmino in the second half and looked composed throughout. He was good in the air against the barrage of crosses. Reuters

Nacho - 8. The 31-year-old fourth-choice centre back ensured any danger was dealt with quickly. He made a number of important clearances and used his experience to lead the defence. Reuters

Ferland Mendy - 6. The Frenchman got into some awkward situations but used his pace to bail himself out. Made a poor clearance late on. PA

Luka Modric - 6. The Croat was given too much freedom to pick his passes but was not his usual precise self. He was aware that Real did not need to be gung-ho and played conservatively. Reuters

Casemiro - 8. The Brazilian was up for a battle and got it. He scythed through Milner and broke up attacks repeatedly. The 29-year-old was not backing down and led by example. PA

Toni Kroos - 5. The German was nowhere near as influential as in the first leg in Madrid. He was not given time to pick out long passes and took a cautious approach. Replaced by Odriozola with 18 minutes left. Getty Images

Marco Asensio - 5. A quiet night for the 25-year-old. Real’s emphasis was on stopping Liverpool getting back into the tie and he saw too little of the ball. AP

Karim Benzema - 6. The Frenchman had a deflected pass hit the post after dispossessing Phillips. He missed a free header in the second half that would have killed the tie. On the plus side, he led the line well and held the ball up. Getty Images

Vinicius Junior - 5. The Brazilian was kept quiet by the defence and on the one occasion he showed his pace, the winger was foiled by Alisson. Taken off for Rodrygo with 18 minutes to go. Getty Images

SUBS: Alvaro Odriozola - 6. The defender was brought on for Kroos to shore up the back line with 18 minutes left. He did his job well with rigorous blocks and tackles. PA

Rodrygo - 5. Replaced Vinicius after 72 minutes but made little impact. He joined the game at the point Real sat deeper and deeper. AFP

Isco - 6. Sent on for Asensio with eight minutes left. He reinforced the defence and helped see out the closing minutes. Getty Images

Real have yet to officially admit defeat on the Super League, with Perez insisting the project will be revived and that the 12 clubs have signed a "binding contract" to its formation.

Asked if Real face any embarrassment over the lingering situation, Zidane replied: "We have a match tomorrow, I'm sorry but I'm not going to answer about that. Right now people are talking a lot about whether we will be in the competition next year or not.

"We have to pay attention to tomorrow's match. We don't control that, there's going to be a lot of conversation, and I'm just giving my opinion.

"We want to see Real Madrid in the next Champions League, and that's it."

Local media have suggested referees might now treat Real differently but the Frenchman brushed aside those suggestions.

"The only thing that's important to us is what goes on on the pitch," he said. "The referee will do his job and we're just thinking about playing football. If we start thinking about everything that's being said, if we think that will go against us and we'll be punished, then we'll mess up.

"We'll fight in this game for 90 minutes and won't get involved in the rest."

Former Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard is finally fit after the latest in a litany of debilitating injuries in his two seasons at Madrid.

And Zidane revealed the Belgium playmaker is finally unimpeded, just in time to take on his old club.

"He played 20 minutes the other day and he felt quite good," said Zidane. "The most important thing is that he doesn't feel anything about his problem.

"He's quite well, he's with us, he's happy to be with us and contribute to the team a lot."

Hazard came off the bench during the goalless draw against Real Betis on Saturday to play his first 15 minutes in almost three months.

"He played with spark, with energy," said Zidane. "We're going to need him."

Real 3 Liverpool 1: player ratings

REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 6: Hardly any pressure was applied on the Belgian. He was confident on crosses and could do little for the goal. Getty

Lucas Vazquez - 6: The right back was disciplined and ensured that Mane and Robertson found little joy down his wing. He played Salah onside for the goal. AFP

Eder Militao - 7: The only real lapse in an assured performance was when Jota ran at him in the lead-up to Liverpool's goal. He easily dealt with Mane when the Senegalese drifted inside. EPA

Nacho - 7: The 31-year-old was supposed to be a weak link in the injury-hit defence but excelled. He was calm, won most of his tackles and distributed the ball well. AP

Ferland Mendy - 7: The Frenchman ranged down the left wing and produced a nice cross for Vinicius early on. He was more restrained in the second half and was largely untroubled defensively. AFP

Luka Modric - 7: The Croat set the tempo from deep in the midfield. He provided the pass for the third goal and his class was obvious throughout. Getty

Casemiro - 7: The Brazilian’s role was to bolster the defence and he swept up loose balls and cut out danger. His passing was at its best when he kept things simple. AFP

Toni Kroos - 8: The German picked out Vinicius with a marvellous long ball to open the scoring and tested the defence with his passing. He was behind most of Real’s best work. EPA

Marco Asensio - 7: The 25-year-old seized on a defensive mistake and scored the second goal with aplomb. He wasted a dangerous counter attack in the second half and was replaced by Valverde after 70 minutes. Getty

Karim Benzema - 7: The Frenchman was not allowed any real opportunities but contributed some astute passing and movement to create space for team-mates. AFP

Vinicius Junior - 8: The 20-year-old scored two and caused havoc with his direct running. His first strike showed marvellous technique and his second showed the value of shooting early. The damage to Liverpool was done by the time he was withdrawn for Rodrygo with five minutes left. Getty

SUBS: Federico Valverde - 6: The Uruguayan came on for Asenio with 20 minutes left. He brought energy to the midfield and helped see the game out. AP

Rodrygo - 5: The 20-year-old replaced Vinicius for the final five minutes. He ran hard but did not have enough time to make a significant impact. Getty

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 4: The Brazilian was let down by his defenders for the first two goals but should have done much better on the third. AFP

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 3: A terrible first half for the 22-year-old. He should have been more aware for the first goal and his misplaced header set up the second. Better after half time but a bad night overall. AFP

Nathaniel Phillips - 4: The centre back was effective in the air but his flaws were exposed by Real. He was caught in no-man’s land for Vinicius’ opener and was too far away from the Brazilian striker for the third goal. EPA

Ozan Kabak - 4: The Turk started well and was alert to early danger. He lost composure as the defence struggled and was lucky not to be embarrassed by a mishit back pass. Replaced by Firmino with nine minutes left. AFP

Andrew Robertson - 5: The Scot was the best of Liverpool’s defenders but the bar was low. He lacked his usual zest and was ineffective going forward. Getty

Fabinho - 4: The Brazilian never got to the pace of the Real midfield. He was unusually static and easily bypassed by the home side's crisp passing. PA

Georginio Wijnaldum - 4: The Dutchman gave away possession too often. He had a brief flurry in the second half and contributed to his team’s goal but then backslid into anonymity. AP

Naby Keita - 2: A dreadful performance. The Guinean contributed little to the game and was dragged off before half time and replaced by Thiago. His time at Anfield is running out. AP

Mohamed Salah - 6: The Egyptian hardly touched the ball for 51 minutes but took his chance and scored when the opportunity arose. He tried his best to eke out another goal but was starved of service. AFP

Diogo Jota - 5: The Portuguese dropped too deep in the first half but his direct run and blocked shot brought Liverpool back into the game when the ball fell to Salah. Taken off for Firmino in the 81st minute. AFP

Sadio Mane - 4: The Senegalese seemed to do everything in slow motion. He looks badly in need of a prolonged rest. Even on bad days he has been a handful this season but the Real defence were unworried by his presence. AFP

SUBS: Thiago Alcantara - 4: The 29-year-old replaced Keita before half time and improved the side but he was unable to wrest the impetus from Real. He was lucky to get away with an ill-advised attempt to control the ball on his chest in his own area. PA

Roberto Firmino - 4: The Brazilian tried to get on the ball after entering the game for Jota with nine minutes left but he only found blind alleys. AFP

Xherdan Shaqiri - 4: Joined the action for Kabak in the 81st minute. The Swiss saw a lot of the ball and made a lot of sideways passes. EPA