Real Madrid News
Camavinga, Ceballos, Nacho react after Real Madrid 4-0 Elche: “Nothing is impossible”
Real Madrid recorded a vital 4-0 win over last-placed Elche on Wednesday night to cut down the gap with Barcelona to eight points. Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, and Luka Modric were the goalscorers on the night but it was an all-round display from the Merengues.
Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, and Nacho Fernandez spoke to the media after the final whistle to share their thoughts on the performance.
The French midfielder began his conversation with the media by assuring fans that the team would continue fighting for the league title despite the large gap.
“Nothing is impossible at this club. We saw that last year with the Champions League, we’re going to fight to the end to win La Liga,” he said.
Camavinga played as a make-shift left-back for Real Madrid in the absence of Ferland Mendy and David Alaba but returned to the middle of the park against Elche. Speaking of his preference for the position, he said,
“I prefer playing in the middle of the park. I’ve played as a full-back to help the team, and now I’m back playing as a deep-lying midfielder and I’m happy. Kroos and Modrić are amazing players, I’m here to learn and play as much as possible.”
The youngster then spoke about the team’s performance on the night, with a special emphasis on defensive resilience, as he said:
“We didn’t give away any chances. We scored a load of goals and it’s great for our confidence. When we play, we want to score goals, so we’re happy to have done that today.”
Finally, Camavinga went on to express his gratitude to the fans in the stands and spoke on the schedule ahead, saying:
“I would like to thank the fans for their support and we’re happy with the win. The team is in good shape and we’re going to keep going. This is a difficult month but we’re going to give it all we have.”
Nacho Fernandez started the game in central defence and recorded 13 defensive actions at the Santiago Bernabeu. He addressed the importance of the three points and the special defensive performance, stating:
“A clean sheet and a game full of goals. Couldn’t ask for anymore. The team put in a complete performance from the off, despite Elche’s current form. We needed to take the points to stay in the chase in La Liga. These three points mean we’re still right in the fight.”
The veteran has seen continuity in playing time in recent games after a difficult start to the season and commented about the same after the game.
“I’m very happy. I didn’t start the season off in the best way, but now I’m stringing games together. It’s very important to help the team and I’m ready,” he said.
Real Madrid are in dire need of confidence after a rough patch of results in the past month. Los Blancos have gifted Barcelona a dominant lead and must strike back with consistency to bridge the gap. Nacho echoed the same thoughts about confidence saying:
“This game has helped us to build our confidence, we were solid both at the back and upfront. It was a match to boost our confidence and now we have to win on Saturday.”
Finally, the centre-back spoke about the status of his renewal and hinted towards easy negotiations towards the same.
“I’m happy playing here. I want to focus on the season and whatever happens will be a personal decision and with respect for the club because we have a magnificent relationship.”
Dani Ceballos was the third player to share his thoughts after the game and began his interaction by saying that they could catch up with Barcelona with a fine run of form.
“It was important to win to match Barcelona’s good run. Eight points are not insurmountable and this team deserves to fight until the end and that’s what we’re going to do until the last game,” he said.
The midfielder once again oozed class after starting against Elche, providing three key passes and over 100 touches. He shared his two cents about his regular playing time after the game, saying:
“I’m very happy to be in the starting line-up. It’s easier to get into the game because I’m in the swing of things and feel match fit. I keep trying to work every day to make it difficult for the coach.
“With the schedule coming up, we have 25 players who are switched on, which is what we need because we have some very tough games on the horizon.”
Ceballos ended his media interview with a token of gratitude to the fans who cheered him on and applauded him after the game.
“I would like to thank the fans for their support. Without them, it’s different. This year nobody has been able to take the three points from the Bernabéu and with them, we are stronger. We have to carry on in the same way.”
Source: Real Madrid official website
Real Madrid’s adventure so far under new coach Jose Mourinho has been far from perfect and this fact shouldn’t be lost even after the team’s brilliant comeback win over AS Roma in midweek.
However, there are areas where Los Blancos have shown a clear improvement under Mourinho, when compared to previous bosses such as Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
One of those areas has been set plays, with Real Madrid appearing far more potent from set pieces this season.
A clear improvement from last season
As reported by Diario AS, the three goals in Rome, all from Arda Guler corners inside a seven-minute blitz, were the perfect advert for the work being done at Valdebebas.
Those strikes took Real Madrid’s set-piece tally to seven goals in just ten matches this season. Four of them have come in La Liga, one from a corner and three from free kicks, with the trio in Rome completing the haul.
It is a striking figure when set against last season’s return. Under Alonso and Arbeloa, Madrid managed 12 set-piece goals across the entire campaign, all in La Liga, split evenly between six from corners and six from free kicks.
On current trends, this side looks well placed to surpass that number comfortably.
The reason behind Real Madrid’s improvement
Attacking set pieces are led at Valdebebas by Pedro Machado, with the whole coaching staff involved and Mourinho himself giving the final green light on every routine.
Defending them, meanwhile, falls to Sami Khedira, though it is treated as a collective effort. Mourinho’s appreciation of that teamwork was clear when Bellingham headed in a Guler free kick against Espanyol, prompting the manager to leap up and embrace his assistants.
Machado, one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, has followed him from Fenerbahce to Benfica and now Madrid, part of a backroom team blending experience with young, ambitious talent.
On the pitch, Guler is the undisputed master when available, his left foot the key weapon, with Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even Diomande also trusted to initiate attacks.
Such meticulous strategy has helped Real Madrid turn into a potent side from set-pieces this season.
