Real Madrid News
Former Real Madrid youngster reveals great advice given by Toni Kroos
Nico Paz is one of, if not the most talents to come out of La Fabrica in recent years.
With his rapid ascent up the ranks and high-quality performances on the field, the youngster appeared set to be part of the first team for this season.
However, serious competition and the lack of minutes in pre-season prompted him to look for a move away and he eventually joined Como for a fee of just over €6 million.
Paz speaks on Real Madrid legends
Speaking to the media in a recent interview, the Como star reminisced his Real Madrid days and how he got to share the dressing room with legends of the game including some of his biggest idols.
“Since I was little I have always loved Modric and Kroos,” he said.
“It was fun, I got into playing with them. With Modric, Valverde, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius,” he added.
The Argentine international then confessed how Toni Kroos especially had a word with him before he left Real Madrid with a message of deep support.
“Keep fighting and find your place. I trust you,” the German legend told Paz, as the player revealed.
Finally, Paz spoke on Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes and how the Brazilian never ceased to surprise him on the field.
“He is the most quality player I have seen. It was impossible to take the ball away from him.”
After his strong performances and tangible improvement under Cesc Fabregas, Real Madrid are said to be maintaining eyes on Paz’s situation and are even interested in signing the player back.
They still have control over 50% of the youngster’s rights, maintain a buy-back clause and have a right of first refusal over his transfer and are thus well placed to sign him back from the Italian outfit.
With Dani Ceballos likely on his way out, Paz will have a place at Real Madrid. The only question, however, is the extent to which Carlo Ancelotti will trust the player, especially after how he has handled Arda Guler’s situation so far.
The player, for his part, dreams of a return home.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
