Realmadrid News

Emerson: "It will be a hard match"

Emerson is aware that the match against Valencia will be tough despite the injured players the home team will have on Sunday. "The ones that play will want to impress their coach, so we can't lower our guard," he said. Emerson has recovered from his muscle problems and will probably be ready to play on Sunday.

Ronaldo is working hard in order to return as soon as possible.
That's good. The coach will decide if he travels to Valencia. He is training very hard.

How's your injury?
I'm much better. I will train with the team tomorrow and we will then see if I'm ready to play.

Do you think the match will be easier due to Valencia's injured men?
Valencia are always a tough team to play against. They have very good players and they will be tough to beat. It's not the same to face a match with so many injured players, but we have to think it will be as hard as always. Those players who play will want to impress their coach, and some may even play their best game up to then.


Who's more at a loss: Real Madrid without Guti or Valencia without Villa?
We will miss Guti on the pitch. Villa is playing very well, but we have to think about ourselves.

What's the plan to follow without Guti?
It will be hard for the coach to figure that out. We don't know what he's thinking of doing. We'll have to wait and see.

There are players in the youth system that can replace him.
Raúl has already played in Guti's position, but I don't know what Capello will want to do.

The crowd in Madrid haven't warmed up to you. Do you prefer playing away matches?
I always think about the team and not about that. We are constantly improving, and if we eventually win a title, the crowd's attitude will change. I have to work for the team and do what the coach asks of me. I don't have to be flashy because I have a very specific job to do on the pitch.

Why don't the fans like your dirty work?
I don't know. I work very hard to be useful to the team.


Have your teammates told you about the atmosphere that builds up in Mestalla?
No, but I know it will be a hard match.
You've played in many different leagues. What's your take on all the injuries that are taking place in the Spanish League this year?
It's true there are many injuries happening, and that's not good. Most players have to wait a minimum of three months to play, and I don't know why. It's hard to explain what's happening. Normally players injure themselves on their own, not by being hit. I guess it's bad luck.

Do you think you'll have to face Valencia as if they were Barcelona?
I face every match with the same intensity. Valencia have won the League in the past and they won't be an easy rival. As always, three points are at stake, so we will be as tense as ever.

You beat Valencia 3-0 when you were at Roma coached by Capello, one of the goals being yours.
I have very fond memories of my time at Roma. That team played very well that day. We'll have to play equally well on Sunday in order to win.

Nieto is a youth system player that often trains with you. What do you make of him?
All the kids do their best because the coach is giving them the opportunity of learning more by training with veteran players.


Report by Luis Navarro
Photography by Ángel Martínez
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 9:17 PM