Fabio Cannavaro talked to Realmadrid.com before traveling to Pamplona: "We're going to battle it out"
After captaining Italy to a World Cup title, there are few things that scare Fabio Cannavaro. He knows the hardship and difficulty Real Madrid will undergo on Sunday at the Reyno de Navarra Stadium, but that only motivates the Italian centre-back, who claims, “I love it. It should stimulate any player.”
Despite all the criticism, Real Madrid are only four points off the leader, Sevilla, and three from Barcelona.
We lost a weird game on Sunday. We had bad luck. I thought we played well. But that's football. It's hard when you can't put the ball in the opponent's net. But we have a hard road match ahead of us, and we have to keep our cool and forget about all the criticism. We need to focus on the League. We know we're four points off the leader, so we have to stay calm.Despite all the criticism, Real Madrid are only four points off the leader, Sevilla, and three from Barcelona.
What does the team need to find that balance between good play and good results?
A title. Only a title can restore that calmness of always playing with the same mentality and drive. It's hard when a team hasn't won anything in two or three years, but I think we can win something this year with Capello and the players we have.
Is it possible to avoid reading and hearing all the criticism about the team or even about you?
I don't like it, but that's how it is. In my case, it goes in one ear and out the other. I know what I can contribute on the pitch, and that's all I need to think about. I read the news, that's it.
You play at the Reyno de Navarra on Sunday. They've told you it's a hard place to play, haven't they?
Yes, they have told me it's a hard place to play, but all our matches are hard. I love playing in a hostile environment. It motivates me, and it should stimulate any player. It's just extra motivation. We're going to battle it out.
The team has done very well in the Champions League after losing the first match to Lyon.
It was hard for me to change mentalities after the World Cup. I started playing right after I got here. I had no preparation. The Lyon game was very hard for me, but I have changed since then. We have qualified for the Round of 16 so we can rest a little easier. We have to think about finishing first in the group and we know we have to beat Olympique.
Are they the hardest team of the group?
Yes. They are a good team and have won a title every year for the last four or five years.
The League and King's Cup are important, but would you prefer winning the Champions League if you had to pick just one?
Yes, of course. Real Madrid was born for the European Cup.
Interview by Laura Navas
Photos by David R. Anchuelo
Translation by Matthew Goltz
posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 4:19 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home