Real Madrid News
Lunin, Nico Paz speak out after Real Madrid 3-0 Braga: “Have to be prepared”
Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Braga last night saw great individual performances all across the field. Yet, the game could not mean more to any individual than it did to Andriy Lunin.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper has not enjoyed much prominence under Carlo Ancelotti since Kepa Arrizabalaga arrived in the summer and for no fault of his. After all, the shot-stopper has maintained high standards whenever called upon.
Kepa’s warm-up injury, however, gave Lunin his latest chance last night. Starting on the night, he delivered a special display including four saves, two from inside the box, and a saved penalty.
Speaking to the media after the full-time whistle, Lunin first commented on what the win meant to the team.
“The most important thing was to win the three points. We have qualified, but we are two games away from being first in the group. This victory will help us for the league matches.”
It was only then that he arrived on the topic of his individual performance which was sensational.
“Victory is important for the team and with zero goals conceded. The last play of the game has been very important to me. I’m happy to have played a good game.”
“It is important for my confidence, for the experience and to pick up the pace of matches,” he added on the importance of regular game time.
The backup goalkeeper was then asked how he dealt with the lack of minutes and whether it affected his confidence, to which he said,
“I’m fine and in the best club in the world. The whole team helps me every day and I work with the best. It’s not easy to get in at the last minute, but you have to be prepared.”
“When it’s your turn, you have to do what you know. Good thing it turned out the way it turned out,” he added.
Finally, the 24-year-old was asked about the penalty he saved early in the game which brought the momentum to Real Madrid’s side.
“There’s not much to tell on the penalty. I want to thank the goalkeeper’s coach for his help. It’s a stop for both of us. We work it between the goalkeepers and the coach. It’s a daily thing,” he modestly concluded.
Nico Paz elated after debut
Nico Paz was another young player who had a night to remember, for it brought with it his debut for the senior side.
“It was crazy. Making my first-team debut has been my dream ever since I was a young boy and it’s come true at the greatest stadium in the world, and in the Champions League,” he said when asked about his feelings.
Making one’s debut for a team like Real Madrid can be a real nerve-racking experience, especially considering the expectations on their shoulders. Paz revealed that he too was nervous before coming on.
“You’re always nervous before the game. I tried to stay calm and enjoy it as much as I could. As soon as I got up off the bench and looked around at the stadium, my stomach was all over the place. Seeing all the people really hypes you up. It’s incredible to be alongside all of my heroes.”
It has been increasingly difficult for academy players to break into the first team in recent years, and Paz is the latest on the short list of players to have made it. Giving his advice to youngsters, he said,
“Madrid always want to win and that’s the aura there is in the dressing room. We’re all playing with the same goal in mind, which is to make it into the first team. That’s what we work for every day.”
“We know how hard it is because it’s the greatest team in the world but we have to keep working hard because it can be done. It is possible and that’s the message to the rest of the academy boys,” he added.
The Castilla star then revealed Carlo Ancelotti’s advise to him before coming on, saying: “He told me to go out and enjoy it, to defend well and give it my all.”
Finally, the debutant was asked about who the lucky recipient of his debut shirt would be.
“I’m going to give my shirt to my parents because they deserve it. They’re the ones who have been there with me since I was little.”
Source: Real Madrid website
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
