Zinedine Zidane has expressed his satisfaction at seeing his Real Madrid side progress to the Club World Cup final in Japan.
Los Blancos saw off Club America 2-0 to set up an encounter with Japanese side Kashima Antlers in Sunday's final, after goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo - his 500th club career goal - secured their place as one of the tournament's final two.
In quotes published by the Daily Mail, Zidane admitted that his charges had not been at their best against their Mexican opponents on Thursday, but was happy enough to earn the chance to pick up another trophy before Real enjoy a break during the European off-season over Christmas.
He said: "We got what we came for - a place in the final. It has been difficult, but now we move onto the final.
"The first part of the match was a bit complicated with the tempo. The field was hard and the ball did not pass well, so we had some difficulty. The second half was much better, with chances for us. However, we had to kill the game and did it in the end with Cristiano Ronaldo.
"We struggled coming into the game with the change in time zones and also travelling from afar. However, we are prepared, especially in terms of motivation. It is an important trophy for us and we want to give everything to win it.
FULL TIME 2-0: Real Madrid are through to the #ClubWC final. That's 36 games unbeaten for Zinedine Zidane's men https://t.co/uuoXpAIaYS pic.twitter.com/XnPPKfAdCS
"We know it will be a difficult game on Sunday, because it is against a Japanese team which is at home. However, we are prepared and motivated to get this trophy.
"The important thing is to rest because we have few days to prepare the final. Now we think only of being in the final and the trophy we can achieve. We have come from far away and we can have a celebration party (if we win)."
France legend Zidane also commented on the video assistant referee technology that is being trialled at the competition.
Ronaldo's goal in the second half led to widespread confusion within the stadium after referee Enrique Caceres signalled for the technology to be used after an apparent infringement in the box, with the result determining that no incident had actually taken place.
Zidane later stated his belief that much more needed to be done by FIFA to work out the best way to utilise the system in the future.
He added: "The problem is that we have to adapt to what FIFA wants to do. I have my ideas and it is true there has been some confusion on our second goal. Things have to be clearer. We can not control what they want to do to improve things with technology. If it is to improve football for the better (then good), but things have to be clearer."
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