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Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane: UCL heartbreak can motivate Atletico

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has warned that the pain of past defeats will spur Atletico Madrid on in Tuesday's Champions League semifinal first leg at the Bernabeu.

Real defeated their city rivals in the 2014 and 2016 finals and also beat them in the 2015 quarterfinal.

And speaking at his prematch news conference, Zidane said those results would not intimidate Diego Simeone's Atletico team.

"I do not believe so -- just the opposite," he said.

"It was positive for us but this is completely different, another semifinal, and they will do everything to try and get through.

"And we will go out tomorrow to win, not thinking that there is a return leg. We must just think about tomorrow's game."

Since the 2014 final, Madrid have defeated Atletico just twice over 90 minutes in 13 meetings, with Atleti winning five times and six draws.

But Zidane said: To reach the semifinals means you have done phenomenally well. We will see if we are better with this tie.

"We are not favourites. It is 50-50. Each year Atletico improve, and they always make it difficult for us. They always fight, battle and know their weapons.

"We also have our weapons and we will try and think about our own game. We will try and do something new. We know the small details will decide the game and the tie."

Zidane's side needed a last gasp winner from left-back Marcelo to beat Valencia on Sunday as they chase the domestic title and the coach said: "It was a feeling I had about anxiety and stress.

"All players -- not just Madrid, although more here -- have a bit of anxiety when the end of the season comes. But that is normal, the pressure that a player must have to play a semifinal.

"We are used to this type of games. It is important tomorrow that the team is well focused from the start."

Asked whether he felt his job could be under threat if Madrid missed out in the Champions League or were beaten to the Liga title by Barcelona, Zidane said he was focusing only on Tuesday.

"That is all that interests me," he added. "Then what happens, nobody knows yet -- and I do not really care at the moment."

The former France international also praised Cristiano Ronaldo, saying he always posed a threat.

"I had the good fortune to play with the Brazilian Ronaldo, who was also an extraordinary player," he said.

"I am a bit envious as I could not score those goals. I could give assists, but I did not have the feeling they have [for scoring goals]. They are impressive players."