Guler, Tchouameni preview El Clasico after win over Juventus – ‘Doesn’t matter what happened last year’ | OneFootball

An all-round performance from Real Madrid saw them secure a 1-0 win over Juventus last night, but the game also exposed some frailties in Xabi Alonso’s system.

The Italians put serious pressure on Real Madrid in the first half and created chances in both halves, but Thibaut Courtois kept the team in the game.

Ultimately, it was Bellingham who scored the winner and gave Real Madrid their first big win of the season over an elite European opposition.

Guler’s thoughts

The Man-of-the-Match, Arda Guler, was one of the Real Madrid players who spoke to the media after the game and he was jubilant over securing all three points.

“I’m feeling fantastic after that win, congratulations to my teammates, and thanks to the fans who come out to support us. We put on a decent performance and took all three points.”

“I feel an important part of the team thanks to Xabi Alonso, who’s shown real faith in me. 

“I try and give my very best. He asks me to control the tempo and to be creative, I played well today,” he added.

Guler was then asked if he preferred playing as an attacking midfielder or an interior, to that he said,

“I can do either. If he wants me to score and assist, I can be a number 10, but I can play at number 8 as well, I don’t mind.”

Speaking on his magical connection with Kylian Mbappe which has flourished this season, the youngster said,

“It’s fantastic, as you can see. It’s the same off the pitch too, he’s a great guy.”

Guler then humbly revealed how he was surprised to be named the MVP on the night.

“It caught me by surprise because I don’t play for this, I play to win. I didn’t realise I was Player of the Match.”

Finally, the player gave his honest thoughts ahead of El Clásico, saying,

“We’ll try and win the game against Barcelona this weekend.”

Tchouameni’s review of the game

Aurelien Tchouameni has been a consistent presence for Xabi Alonso. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Aurelien Tchouameni was the next player to face the media after the game, and the midfielder expressed his happiness with the result secured.

“We’ve started this group phase in the best possible fashion. We wanted to come through these first three games with 9 points and we’ve managed that.

“Now we have to look forward and keep working hard to improve and win games.”

Reflecting on how the game was difficult and against a well-drilled elite opposition, the player said, 

“We were up against a good team. They defended really well and it wasn’t an easy game for us. It was a good performance.”

“We feel confident we’re going to get goals in games. We did that today and kept a clean sheet, thanks to a strong performance by Courtois,” he added.

Tchouameni then revealed how every player has a well-defined role under Alonso, saying,

“Every player knows what he has to do on the pitch. If I’m in the centre of the park with Arda Güler and Bellingham, I know I have to hold my position a little more.”

“If I’m playing alongside Camavinga I can move around and rotate a bit more. We have a fantastic squad with really great players in the middle,” he added.

Finally, the midfielder spoke on the upcoming game against Barcelona at the weekend, saying,

“We know we have to win whenever we play Barcelona. It doesn’t matter what happened last year. 

“We are well aware of it, and we have to play better. We’re on a great run and we have to show that against Barcelona.”

Source: Real Madrid website