Zidane won't let the criticism get to him

Cape Town - Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane admits it's unpleasant to hear what his critics have to say but insists he can only focus on the job at hand.

Real sit bottom of Group A with just a single point after two games following a 3-0 defeat at Paris St Germain and a 2-2 home draw with Club Brugge.

Currently, Los Blancos are within a point of La Liga leaders Barcelona, but this season's start in Europe, coupled with last season's distant third-place domestic finish, has left Zidane firmly in the spotlight.

Rumours are rife that Madrid are lining up Jose Mourinho for a second stint at the Bernabeu, should results fail to improve, but Zidane was cool when quizzed about his future ahead of tonight's game.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul, he said: "The past is in the past and football soon forgets about what you've achieved. That's the way things are in life. The important thing is the here and now.

"I'm upset about what's being said about me, but I can't stop people from having their opinions. I have to give my all as a coach, with my players and think positively.

"I've been at the club for 18 years. We know where we are, and that pressure will never go away. We're aware of the situation and will keep going until the end.

"Our first aim is to get the three-points tomorrow night. We know that it's an important game and one in which we have to put points on the board, given how things stand in the group.

"I'm just focusing on tomorrow night's game."

- TeamTalk Media