Girona manager full of praise for Real Madrid megastar – ‘One of the best players in the world’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid lock horns with Girona on Friday night in La Liga, and the scheduling of the game is the biggest talking point.

After all, the game against Girona is scheduled exactly in between the team’s two games against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.

Having taken a 2-1 defeat in the first leg the Merengues will be keen to keep their players rested and fit for the big game. Girona, thus, enter the game with a mild psychological edge.

Michel discusses Real Madrid clash

Girona manager Michel spoke to the media ahead of the weekend’s clash and he expressed excitement and wariness before facing Real Madrid.

“I don’t look at the table or what a team has to play before or after. I watch the game and playing at the Bernabéu is never easy, quite the opposite,” he began.

“Its normal for it to be a difficult game, and we have to go with this feeling,” he added.

Praising Real Madrid for their quality across the park, the manager said,

“Madrid leads many parameters of attack, ball recovery, and shots on goal. There are no good times to play at the Bernabeu. But we can control what we do, which is to play a great game as a team and have a Top mentality and be able to suffer together,” he said.

“We have to look forward when possible, not stand still. We want things to happen, but it will be very complicated. It’s the reality. If it is not easy to play at the Bernabeu for Bayern, City, Barça or Atletico, it will not be easy for us either,” he concluded on the topic.

Michel then spoke about what his side must do differently on the night to take all three points.

“We will have to play a great game and ensure that they are below their best to achieve a positive result. Yes, we can show our best version and we’ll see what it will mean.”

On what playing for Real Madrid means on a personal level to him, Michel said,

“The reality is that I always look at the coach I face. I think about how they play, the differences that Madrid have now with the new coach and the way to try to stop their game.”

“Going to the Bernabeu is very good, but I look at his coach and the rival team. No more. My concentration does not depend on the scenario I am in. The most important thing is what the rival does and how to stop him, which will not be easy,” he added.

Michel remains wary of Real Madrid despite consecutive losses. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Commenting on how the game against Real Madrid now will be different from their meeting earlier in the season, the Girona manager said,

“It’s different because now there is another coach (from Xabi Alonso to Arbeloa). Now they play with the most width, the midfield goes between the defense and the wings can leave with the ball.”

“In attack, they play differently. Madrid has changed and it will not be the same as in the first round,” he added.

Michel was then asked if he thought Real Madrid could still win La Liga, to which he honestly gave his take.

“Real Madrid have chances to win La Liga, of course. They still have to go to play at Camp Nou and Madrid have to win every game. It has that requirement. After a defeat, more.”

“I hope for the best version of Real Madrid because they has time to recover for the second leg of the Champions League. They need to win in La Liga because they are seven points away and have no room for error,” he added.

“But we also need the points. It’s not the best game to say we need to win, but we do need points to get to 42. We will do everything in our power. I need a collective mentality, not to be overexcited or to say that nothing happens if Madrid beats us.” 

The La Liga manager then opened up on Kylian Mbappe and showered flowers on the French attacker.

“He is one of the best players in the world. The other day he played a great game and in Mallorca, in the first 20 minutes, he generated a lot and had many chances to score.”

“He is the top scorer in La Liga. He is a differential player and is one of the best forwards in the world with Kane. He is very difficult to stop, with many records,” he added.

Reaffirming how Mbappe was one to step up under pressure on the biggest of occasions, the manager said,

“These players live with the demand and they can perform. I expect the best version of Madrid because after a defeat they need to win. Madrid’s margin of error is already zero.”

Finally, he was asked about his previous experiences at the Santiago Bernabeu and how it was a notoriously difficult stadium to win at.

“It’s just another game, I don’t give it more importance than any other game. It will be complicated.”

“The normal thing is that Madrid wins 90% of the games. Beating Madrid is more than three points because from here to the end of the League the normal thing is that they win all seven,” he added.

Source: Diario AS