Espanyol star names the Real Madrid player he would exclude in upcoming clash – ‘Never stops scoring’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid are back in La Liga action this weekend as they take on RCD Espanyol on Matchday 5 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Merengues are at the top of the table, having won four in four this season. Meanwhile, Espanyol are currently third, tied on ten points with second-placed Barcelona, with three wins and a draw.

So, Saturday’s clash will be an exciting one, and Espanyol captain Javi Puado previewed the game during an interview with Mundo Deportivo.

Puado on Mbappe, Carreras

During the chat, Puado was asked to name one Real Madrid player who he would like to exclude from tomorrow’s game, and the Espanyol star had no hesitation in naming Kylian Mbappe.

“Mbappe. He’s also so on fire, he never stops scoring goals, and I’ve always loved him,” said the Espanyol captain.

“I’ve always watched him and I’ve really liked him. I like playing against him, but in the end, what I want is to win. And if he’s not there, all the better.”

Mbappe has been in top form this season. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

When asked to name the one Real Madrid player he would like to sign for Espanyol, Puado named Alvaro Carreras, saying:

“Yes, I’m not going to sign Mbappe, otherwise I wouldn’t play (laughs). They’re all very good. I was really surprised by Carreras at full-back. Carlos (Romero) is incredible, but he’s really surprised me and he’s doing very well.”

On Real Madrid

Talking about Real Madrid under the management of Xabi Alonso, Puado noted that the Spanish capital club have momentum behind them and have some of the best players in the world in their squad.

“They started in the Club World Cup, where they didn’t have a great feeling, but now they’re doing well. They’re the only team that’s won everything; they also won the Champions League the other day,” noted Puado.

“They’re a very difficult team to beat; they have some of the best individuals in the world, fast, strong players with good dribbling skills….”

However, the Espanyol captain expressed confidence that his team can cause an upset at the Santiago Bernabeu, saying:

“It’s a huge, very big club, but we’re going to play knowing we can win. Otherwise, we wouldn’t even go there at all. It’s going to be very difficult to achieve, but it can be done. Last year we won on our own ground against Real Madrid, and we believe we can do it.”

But, Puado insisted that they would need to play a ‘perfect’ game and Real Madrid would need to have an off day for Espanyol to pick up a win.

“Playing a ’10’ game, they don’t have a good day, they don’t make mistakes, and we try to do our best. We have to be strong in defense, solid, and then in attack, the few chances we usually have against Madrid, we take them. A perfect game,” he said.