With La Liga sides dominating the scene in recent years, the notion that that the rest of the European leagues are not on the level of the Spanish top-flight has become widely accepted but Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane refuted the suggestion on the eve of his side’s tie with Juventus.

“I don’t think it is weak, I think La Liga is the best league to be in because every game is difficult things can go awry right up to the final game, Zidane responded when asked whether the Serie A, coincidentally a league he played in for the Bianconeri towards the turn of the millennium, at his pre-match press conference in Madrid.

The topic had become more prominent in the light of Barcelona and Real’s resounding wins over Italian opposition in the UEFA Champions League.

A stunning brace from Cristiano Ronaldo and a late goal from Marcelo had powered Los Blancos to an impressive 3-0 away win at Juventus last week but despite being favourites to progress, Zidane stressed he wasn’t taking his former side lightly.

Real’s arch-rivals Barcelona smashed AS Roma 4-1 at the Nou Camp to effectively end the run of the Italian sides in this year’s UEFA Champions League.

“The 0-3 result will not change things for us. It’s another game and what happened, happened. It was a good game, but there is still 50% of the tie to be played,” the French tactician insisted.

“We will have to put in another great game to pass through. I’m only interested in tomorrow’s match and I only think of my team and how we need to play another great game to qualify.”

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With skipper and defensive rock Sergio Ramos suspended, regular back-up Nacho injured and young Jesus Vallejo struggling, there could be a defensive reshuffle at the back for the two-time defending champions as the Serie A leaders come visiting on Wednesday night.

There has been talk of defensive midfielder Casemiro dropping in to fill for Ramos, especially with Vallejo touch-and-go for the clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“We have one final and it is tomorrow. Then we will see if we get through, and then who we have to face, but we must not think beyond tomorrow’s game. We want to show that we are a great side, but we have not won anything just yet. We are regaining our confidence, the goals and our overall game. We have a lot of ambition and we are determined to continue at the top level,” Zidane added.