Soccer: Zidane to undergo renaissance playing

Real Madrid's French midfielder Zinedine Zidane expects to undergo his own renaissance between now and the end of the season as he looks to help his side towards European and domestic success.

My form may have dropped a bit but I will be born again," Zidane told a news conference at Real Madrid's training ground yesterday.

"The last six weeks have been tough for me but I'm calm and confident because it's always the same.

"Each season I have problems at the start and in the middle. It's normal and far from being worrying it reassures me because I see that the body responds as in previous years.

"It's a good signal. I'm going to finish the season on top."

Zidane, who signed for Real from Juventus for a world record $66 m (€74m) before the start of the current season, said he did not want to look as far ahead as the World Cup.

But he did warn pretenders to the French crown that his side would pose difficulties for all comers.

"The World Cup is not something I'm worrying about," Zidane said.

"I'm just concentrating on Real Madrid and I will be until the end of the season.

"After that the World Cup will be like it always is, with a specific type of preparation.

"France won't be scared of anyone. We're a strong team and we'll be difficult for everyone."

Zidane and Real played some sparkling football in the middle part of the season but the team's form has dropped of late and they suffered a painful King's Cup final defeat to Deportivo Coruna on their 100th birthday in the Bernabeu last week.

They are still in with a good chance of claiming the two most important trophies of the season, though.

Five wins out of five have taken them through to the Champions League quarter-finals in effortless style and they are currently in second place in the Spanish first division, just a point behind Valencia.

They currently enjoy a six-point lead over Barcelona and victory over the Catalans at the Nou Camp on Saturday would all but rule them out of the title race.

"One thing is clear," Zidane said. "All teams go through difficult moments over the course of the season. Barcelona are playing well, more or less, and so are we. I just hope its' a good game on Saturday.

"You never know, but with a victory we'll be nine points ahead and that will be very important for Real Madrid," added Zidane.

"I believe that we won't know the champion of the league until right at the end, though, like in Italy. I just hope people enjoy the Barcelona game, and that Real Madrid win."

Zidane has never played against Barcelona at the Nou Camp but he does not expect to feel under pressure on Saturday.

"Simply playing for Real Madrid puts you under pressure, "he explained.

"Playing against Barcelona at the Nou Camp will be something special.

"I love this sort of game and so does the rest of the team."