Champions League: Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund discussion

Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal spoke fondly about his progress through the youth system at the club, his season playing in Germany and inspirational figures he’s looked up to, ahead of the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking alongside manager Carlo Ancelotti, at the Champions League preview press conference, ahead of Wednesday’s encounter with Borussia Dortmund, right-back Dani Carvajal was asked about how his début season in the Real Madrid first-team squad has been going.

“I have always been ambitious, wanting to train and play more, though I’m very happy right now. Especially so because of the confidence the manager has given me from the very first day. The rotation with Arbeloa has been very good for both of us and for the team, because we’re always fresh. Now and with Álvaro injured, it looks like I’ll play even more minutes. I hope to earn my place, enjoy myself and help the team achieve our objectives.”

This season has also marked the debút of Carvajal in the Champions League against Galatasaray in Turkey during the group stage of the competition. That is already a cherished memory for the 22-year-old.

“It was like a dream, thinking that I was going to compete in the Champions League. When you’re there arm in arm with your team-mates, listening to the Champions League anthem playing, it sends a chill down your spine. It was also a great game, we scored six goals and it’s something I’ll never forget.”

Asked who his nearest companions in the first-team are, Carvajal highlighted his former Real Madrid Castilla and youth system colleagues, whilst also pointing at the friendly rivalry for the right-back slot, with Álvaro Arbeloa.

“Given all the years I’ve played alongside them, I’d have to say Morata and Jesé. Arbeloa too, as we can understand one another with just a glance.”

When it comes to choosing one of his all-time favourite players at Real Madrid, there were no surprises in his choice of Michel Salgado, as an inspirational figure.

“As a fan of Real Madrid, I’d say Michel Salgado. I really loved his style of play, it was really intense. I always loved watching him play.”

Having progressed through the youth system of Real Madrid, is also something that Carvajal feels very fortunate to have experienced, especially having eventually made the grade at the highest level.

“It’s a dream come true. In Spain and most of all in Madrid, every kid wants to play for Real Madrid. Being in the youth system at this club is great and I was filled with pride and emotion, when I made my début in this shirt. Going through each stage of my time at this club, has been wonderful.”

Highlighting the legendary Raúl and current captain Iker Casillas as further inspiration to players of his generation who progressed from the youth system at Real Madrid, Carvajal also recognises that himself, Jesé and Morata are now references for the next generation of talented young players, to aspire towards emulating.

“They are a mirror for us to look towards and now Casillas is captain. For us, reaching the first team is the ultimate objective. Players like Arbeloa or myself had to leave, before coming back again. Others, like Jesé or Morata, have gone straight through to the first-team.”

Given his own time playing in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, Carvajal was also asked what sort of impact that experience had, when it came to his development as a player.

“I’ve really improved my game defensively, because there was practically no transitional play in the Bundesliga and I had to do a lot of closing down. Also, we were a team who had to take the initiative in every game and as a full-back, I had to cover a lot of ground. That helped develop my physically, so that I could try to remain fresh in the final minutes of games.”

Real Madrid’s Luka Modric says his team are determined to turn around their fortunes following a mini slump in form.

Los Blancos were top of La Liga before successive defeats to Barcelona and Sevilla have left them in third place.

“Until those two recent matches we were having a fantastic season,” Modric told reporters today. “We are still the same players and the same team.

“We are very motivated for the upcoming matches, we have forgotten what has gone on before and we are concentrating on Dortmund.

“We haven’t lost our confidence and I am convinced we will give our best tomorrow.

“We know how Dortmund will play, they are very dangerous on the counter. We need to be careful when we have the ball and make sure we don’t lose it.

“We need to be aware of Reus, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang. They are great players.

“The three competitions we are in are important and we are going for all of them. We haven’t set any of them to one side, but now it is time to think about Dortmund.

“A 2-0 win would be excellent! But we will try to score all the goals we can. 2-0 would be fantastic though and I am sure we can achieve it.”

Yohan Modric wrote:The way Bayern played tonight and against Arsenal, we certainly have a chance of beating them regardless of our current problems.

Karim Benzema believes the Real Madrid that will face Borussia Dortmund tonight are a different team to the one beaten last year.

Dortmund and Madrid met four times in last season’s Champions League, in the group stage and the semi-finals, and Madrid only won once - the semi-final second-leg, when they were eliminated on aggregate.

But Benzema told Madrid’s official website that Los Blancos are in better shape to play the Bundesliga outfit this year than they were 12 months ago.

“We’ve won nearly all our games in the tournament and we feel good,” Benzema said.

“We’ll give our all to get through this round. Everything has gone well until now.

“We’ve reached the quarter-finals and we’re in good form.

“Dortmund still have the same players but they’ve had a lot of injuries this season.

“We have to put what happened last year to the back of our minds and now we have a new team with a new mentality.

“We’re not thinking about them, although they are strong.”

Benzema added that Madrid, competing in the Champions League, the League and the Copa del Rey, do not value one tournament over another.

“The goal is to win all three titles and I think we can do it. We have a good team and a strong squad,” Benzema continued.

“Carlo Ancelotti has brought us stability, and that’s important.

“We’ve reached the Champions League semi-finals for the last three years and we’re doing well this year.

“We still have a number of games to play before the final but we’re getting closer.”

Benzema is one-third of the vaunted BBC - the name given to Madrid’s attacking trio that also includes Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“They are great players and we have a good understanding, on and off the pitch,” Benzema said of his colleagues.

“It’s easy to play with players that skilful, fast and technical.

“I don’t know [if we are the most dangerous attack in the tournament] but we are a team, it’s not just about the three forwards.

“We are supported by the whole squad. We play an attacking style and having great players in attack helps the team win games.”

Benzema went on to discuss what the Champions League means to him and revealed who he would prefer to play in the final.

“I’ve had a lot of success in the Champions League and I hope that continues.

“Games like this help me with my confidence. Every time I play in the Champions League it’s special. I love this competition.

“[I’d like a] final between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, as they are a French side.”

Goalkeepers : Casillas, Diego Lopez and Jesus.
Defenders : Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao, Carvajal and Nacho.
Midfielders : Bale, Xabi Alonso, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Illarra and Jose Rodriguez.
Forwards : Morata, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

sportsczy wrote:no he's good. If carlo isolates benz on top as opposed to dezoning him to help buildup... my rant will be epic

Cristiano Ronaldo had to be replaced in the 80th minute of the match against Borussia Dortmund, showing clear signs of discomfort in his left knee.

Concern shrouded the emphatic Champions League victory at the Bernabéu and although Real Madrid have one foot firmly planted in the semi-finals, thanks to a 3-0 victory, it may be soured by the sight of Cristiano Ronaldo in clear discomfort.

Sat on the grass in the 80th minute, his left knee the cause of his problems, Cristiano was immediately replaced as a precaution, by Casemiro.

All will be awaiting the post-match medical report with baited breath, though this is the same knee that has been troubling the Portuguese star for some time now, even though ahead of the game, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti had assured that it was being managed well and the player was fine.

The nature of the injury has already been confirmed as a problem in the patella tendon, which links the kneecap with the tibia, but it remains to be seen if this will pose Cristiano further issues, in what is the most crucial stage of the season and ahead of the World Cup.

In the immediate future, Cristiano could be sidelined for this weekend’s encounter against Real Sociedad, in La Liga.

Real Madrid midfielder Isco feels confident he’s capable of showing why he’s worthy of a place in the team, after capping an excellent display in central midfield, with the second goal against Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking after the final whistle, Isco insisted that despite getting on the scoresheet against Borussia Dortmund, it’s his overall play and adaptability, that will earn him a regular place in the Real Madrid tactical plans of Carlo Ancelotti.

“I don’t need to justify anything, just to demonstrate to the manager that I can play in any system.”

Clearly delighted with the performance of his team, Isco also feels confident his side now have a solid advantage, going into the second-leg in Germany.

“It’s a magnificent result. We’re happy with the third goal and not having conceded any. It’s a great step for us towards the semi-finals.”

There was also praise for the defensive work of his team-mates, for having kept a clean sheet and avoided the danger of an away goal.

“Pepe and the defence in general have been ten out of ten. We’ve more than deserved this result.”

Finally and even though confident of passage to the semi-finals, Isco warned that you can’t count your chickens, before they’ve hatched.

“You never know in football. Nobody would have imagined that Real Madrid would lose there 4-1 last season.”

Ancelotti made no attempt to hide his satisfaction at his team's performance against Borussia Dortmund. The Whites' coach analysed the 3-0 victory in the Santiago Bernabéu: “I'm happy with the result, the match and the team's attitude. It wasn't an easy match, we started it well, in the second half we reduced the tempo a little. Dortmund had a good attitude, above all on the counter. It is a very dangerous team. The second leg won't be easy”.

“We did what we practised well. We pressured up front and played with intensity. We had possession of the ball and were clinical. I'm happy. In the first half we played with great intensity and energy and in the second we sat back a bit to play a little more on the counter. The atmosphere was very good”.

The second leg
“Borussia proved that they are a quality team and that they will try to turn the result around. They will try everything to come back. We have to be alert and play like we did in this match. If we play like today we'll reach the semi-finals. Touch all the wood in the world, I don't like talking about the semis yet. They are setting a trap for the second leg and we have to be prudent and avoid it”.

Cristiano Ronaldo's niggle
“It's a slight knee problem and I'm not worried about it. If the niggle, which at the moment is not a worry, continues we can rest him, but the player is relaxed. I took him off 10 minutes before the end and there is no reason to worry.
THE FANS' SUPPORT FOR THESE MATCHES IS CRITICAL.
“The response has been good after the two defeats, although it is clear that we haven't completely forgotten about it because we have paid dearly for it. We're no longer at the top of La Liga but we have time. If we win all our matches, as I've said, we'll win the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, at least”.

Isco
“He had a great match, he defended and won balls. He also demonstrated his attacking ability with a goal. He had a fantastic game, really helping his team and demonstrating that he has that passion”.

Pepe
“He did a great job, as he has all season, with confidence and personality. It wasn't an easy match for them at the back and he did very well. There were big spaces to cover and they did great. Iker also made a great save”.