"Madrid are always favourites in this competition, but we know what to do"
Rodrigo Hernández was in the press room and gave his first impressions of the game against Real Madrid. He considered that the 'Merengues' are always favourites in this competition, especially at home.
7 months ago
The Champions League quarter-finals are about to begin and, without a doubt, Real Madrid-Manchester City is one of the key ties. Rodrigo Hernandez spoke in the press room ahead of the clash.
"Last year's game is of little value. It will be different. We're coming here in one of the best moments of the season. We know each other very well," he said.
On Madrid's longer rest period: "We've played matches these days and they haven't, they've rested. They may have a slight advantage, but it doesn't worry us, although we would have liked to have rested like them".
"They control the games more, they have more midfielders, we expect a tough game. But there is a second game. They are powerful, a lot of quality from the second line.... We can't focus on just one player. We have to adapt to the way they play, which is different from last year," he said of the vigilance over Bellingham.
On the comeback two years ago: "We always test ourselves against them. We don't think about the past. We are more mature now and we have already won this competition. Nobody has to tell us how hard it is to play here.
"We have learned from the past, from winning and losing.... We are a more mature team than the one that faced them for the first time. They are always favourites in this competition and especially at home, but we know them very well and we know what we have to do," he continued.
He praised Guardiola: "He is one of the most successful coaches, like Ancelotti, they are two winners. Pep is our leader and we need the best from him to get a good result".
"We are coming from two games where we have improved a lot and scoring easily. I have total confidence in my team. We are the champions and we want to repeat," he said.
On the keys to the tie: "They have changed the way they play, but they have very vertical players who are very dangerous on the counter. They have more control, but that doesn't detract from their finishing. We have to be on our toes. We have to dominate our opponents with the ball and have personality".
"Last year's game is of little value. It will be different. We're coming here in one of the best moments of the season. We know each other very well," he said.
On Madrid's longer rest period: "We've played matches these days and they haven't, they've rested. They may have a slight advantage, but it doesn't worry us, although we would have liked to have rested like them".
"They control the games more, they have more midfielders, we expect a tough game. But there is a second game. They are powerful, a lot of quality from the second line.... We can't focus on just one player. We have to adapt to the way they play, which is different from last year," he said of the vigilance over Bellingham.
On the comeback two years ago: "We always test ourselves against them. We don't think about the past. We are more mature now and we have already won this competition. Nobody has to tell us how hard it is to play here.
"We have learned from the past, from winning and losing.... We are a more mature team than the one that faced them for the first time. They are always favourites in this competition and especially at home, but we know them very well and we know what we have to do," he continued.
He praised Guardiola: "He is one of the most successful coaches, like Ancelotti, they are two winners. Pep is our leader and we need the best from him to get a good result".
"We are coming from two games where we have improved a lot and scoring easily. I have total confidence in my team. We are the champions and we want to repeat," he said.
On the keys to the tie: "They have changed the way they play, but they have very vertical players who are very dangerous on the counter. They have more control, but that doesn't detract from their finishing. We have to be on our toes. We have to dominate our opponents with the ball and have personality".
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