I have a long way to go, admits Zidane

Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who returns to Champions' League action against Roma on Wednesday, has admitted that he is still nowhere near top form. "I am not happy with my performances. I still have a lot more to offer," he said.

Zidane joined Real Madrid for a world record fee of £48 million from Juventus in the summer - but has so far failed to settle. Some experts have even suggested that Zidane's arrival has upset the equilibrium of the team and that they were better off last season – without him.

And Zidane, on the verge of making his Champions' League comeback against Roma after serving a suspension, has now admitted that he still hasn't reached top form – two months into the season.

He said: "I feel I am playing better but I am not happy with my performances and I still have a lot more to offer this team."

The world and European champion, however, is excited about making his comeback in the Champions' League.

"I am really glad to be back at Champions after three or four months out."

"Roma haven't changed a lot since last year and I think they're playing quite well now."

"I don't think the match will be a Totti v Zidane game as it has been reported in Italy. We have got twelve points out of twelve but must still assure first place in our group," Zidane said.

Zidane is not quite sure why Real are playing better in Europe than they are in Spain – but does not agree with the Madrid players who recently said that the standard of La Liga was higher than that of the Champions' League.

"That is not my way of thinking," he said.

"Real are not in the place we wanted to it to be at this stage and it's not normal that we win everything in Europe and then fail in La Liga every Sunday."

"But I am not worried at all because we will soon be up there again. There's no crisis here and I am optimist because it's just a matter of time."