Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane praises rival Diego Simeone: 'He has everything a manager needs and knows his players well'

• Champions League final 2016: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid news 
• Real Madrid are preparing to face Atletico in the Champions League final
• Zinedine Zidane has praised opposition manager Diego Simeone
• The Frenchman also confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo is not fully fit  

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane called Diego Simeone the complete coach ahead of Saturday’s Champions League showdown and admitted Cristiano Ronaldo was still not training at full pelt just five days ahead of the final.

‘He [Simeone] has everything that a manager needs and he knows his players very well which is very important,’ Simeone told reporters.

The Atletico Madrid manager will have been warmed by the news that Ronaldo remains in precautionary mode in the run-up to the biggest game of the season.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane spoke highly of Diego Simeone during his press conference on Tuesday

Atletico Madrid boss regarded as a master technician and has led his side to the Champions League final

The Real players are put through their paces during training in warm conditions ahead of Saturday's final

‘Ronaldo didn’t play in the practice match we had on Saturday but that was as a precaution,’ Zidane said. ‘I think we are all in good shape for the final. The only serious problem is with Raphael Varane, who is out.’

Zidane admitted he would love to be playing in the final against his former Serie A sparring partner. 

Simeone and Zidane met many times in Italy but in Milan they face each other for only the second time as rival managers. 

‘He is just the same as a manager as he was as a coach,’ Zidane added smiling confidently ahead of the biggest day of his fledgling managerial career.

‘It’s only Tuesday. I wish it was a little bit closer to the day. We are all desperate to play the final,’ and he then added: ‘Well, I won’t be playing of course but you know what I mean.’

Zidane also confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is still not training at 'full pelt' with the first team

Zidane and Simeone met on many occasions in Italy as players but this is only the second time as managers

Asked by one reporter if he would swap all he had won as a player to be the coach who leads Real Madrid to their 11th European Cup he didn’t hesitate with his response. ‘No. I would not change a thing. I have what I have as a player and no one can take that away from me.’

Simeone and Zidane faced each other in the league at the end of February and it did not go well for the Real Madrid manager. 

Atletico won 1-0 and it seemed Zidane’s reign would be a short one but he has turned Real's season around dramatically with 11 straight league wins and a Champions League final place.

‘That was only two months ago. We have worked well and we have hit form at the right time of the season,’ said Zidane.

Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring the only goal as Atletico beat their fierce city rivals

The results have certainly improved massively and his comment about Simeone now being the perfect coach were thrown back at him when he was asked if he thought he was already at the same level.

‘No I don’t think so. I have so much still to learn but I have the desire to do so. I want to get there, I want to get those qualities that will make me an important manager in the game.’

Zidane added: ‘The only failure is not to give everything on the day. We have had time to prepare properly so let’s see how it goes on Saturday.

‘It’s not enough just to have the ball. We are playing against a team that not only defends well – people talk about how well they defend – but Atletico Madrid are a very complete side.’

Asked about the pressure he may now feel leading the team into the final he said: ‘Pressure is always there when you are Real Madrid manager. I like it. I had it as a player and now it is even greater as a coach’