Real Madrid News
Nacho talks Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius, Modric, Ancelotti ahead of Real Madrid vs Braga
Real Madrid will look to secure a place in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League when they lock horns with SC Braga tomorrow night at the Santiago Bernabeu.
With three wins in three games, Los Blancos are on the cusp of going through to the next round, with a positive result on Wednesday expected to be enough.
Ahead of the game, Real Madrid defender and captain Nacho Fernandez joined manager Carlo Ancelotti in the press conference, discussing a number of topics.
“We’re excited, we know how important this competition is for Madrid. If we win we’ll achieve our objective of reaching the last 16,” Nacho said, discussing the team’s objectives in Europe.
Even though Nacho has not played a lot this season, the defender admitted that he is enjoying life as Real Madrid captain, as he said:
“I’m very happy and I’m not thinking about anything else. Being captain is a great dream and a responsibility. We’re in a good moment and we have to make the most of it.”
On his playing situation, the veteran added: “I fight to play in all the important games. I’ve been a starter in all the Champions League games and I’m at a great level.”
The veteran defender then spoke about his teammates starting with Jude Bellingham, who has been a star performer for the Merengues this season.
“He has Real Madrid DNA, he always wants to win and compete. He helps the team a lot up front and at the back. He’s one of the best signings in recent years,” said Nacho.
Commenting on another summer signing, Arda Guler, who could make his debut for Real Madrid tomorrow, the captain said:
“Arda is very young but he has an incredible talent and future. He needs to play and prove himself but he has everything to succeed at Madrid. We’re looking forward to seeing him play because he has tremendous potential.”
Vinicius Jr. has been in the news once again with his attitude and behaviour on the field being questioned. Responding to it, the Real Madrid skipper said:
“We talk a lot with Vini. He’s a type of player who feels more provocation than the rest. He always confronts and generates frustration. We talk to him so that he stays calm and focuses on playing.
“Little by little he is improving but he has a lot of character. We look after him a lot here, if Puyol wants to talk to him it’s up to him.”
“In the Champions League Vini is calmer. We are softening the situation, I don’t know if it’s because of the rivals. The important thing is that he focuses on playing.”
Commenting on the lack of goals from the two forwards, Vinicius and Rodrygo Goes, Nacho added:
“We have changed the way we play. Karim has very different characteristics to Vini and Rodri. The team is in a good dynamic despite the stumble against Rayo. They are going to score a lot of goals and generate a lot.”
Like Nacho, fellow veteran Luka Modric is also struggling for minutes this season but has made a valuable contribution every time he has played. Comparing their situations, Nacho said:
“Modric is used to always playing, mine is different, I’ve always had to fight to play. I’m looking to enjoy the day-to-day because I don’t want what happened last year to happen.”
On the matter of manager Carlo Ancelotti, he added: “Ancelotti is made to coach this club. He has a lot of credit because he has won everything. You can ask him about his future now.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
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”.
