Zidane in awe of his Real players as they target another final

LONDON: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said he is constantly surprised by his players' capacity to overcome difficulties as they set their sights on a fourth Champions League final in six years in Wednesday's semi-final second leg away to Chelsea. Real have had the most injuries in La Liga this season but have pulled themselves back into the title race while they have also had to contend without a number of influential players in their run to the last four of Europe's top competition.

"We've had a lot of difficulties but you have to take your hat off to this team," Zidane told a virtual news conference ahead of Wednesday's decider at Stamford Bridge, where the tie is delicately balanced at 1-1 from the first leg. "More than anything else, this team has character. And when the going gets tough they always dig in. In my eyes, they are the best. We are exactly where we want to be and it's fully deserved."