Top News
Zidane says Real Madrid just as hungry as Liverpool for Champions League trophy
Madrid, May 22 (IANS) Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane on Tuesday said his team was just as hungry as Liverpool to win the UEFA Champions League final.
The French coach also warned that having more experience did not guarantee Real a third consecutive Champions League title when they face off on Saturday against the Reds in Kiev, Ukraine, reports Efe.
“How can anyone think we have less hunger than our rivals? That’s not true,” Zidane said at a press conference.
“Our experience will not give us any edge at all. It’s a football match and we have to show that we want to win it,” he added. “Winning last year is irrelevant.”
“What I can assure you of is the desire that this club has, it never goes away. No one can say we do not have that same hunger. We are Real Madrid and that is what we are about. We always strive for more and we will give it our all,” he said.
Zidane did not reveal his 11-man starting lineup for Kiev, saying: “I want everyone switched on. That’s why I am not saying now who plays, because that can damage a footballer.”
Still, Zidane seemed inclined toward the “BBC” lineup featuring Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“The BBC are the best by far,” he said. “But other players need opportunities, because if not, the message that everyone is important does not ring true.”
Regarding Liverpool, Zidane stressed that his opponents have more depth than just the offensive trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
“People say they are just the three up front and have nothing at the back. No, it’s a team that made the final and deserves it, as do we. My work is to prepare well for the game, to see the weak points in our rival and to try to damage them,” he explained.
Zidane also praised Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, saying “He’s a great coach, he showed that at Dortmund and he continues to impress with Liverpool.”
–IANS
tri/vm
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.