Realmadrid News

Fabio Cannavaro to Marca: "We have to play to win"

Why can't Madrid take the extra step to become a premier team?
I don't know. Every single team has given us trouble. We have a very challenging week ahead of us and we want to return to our winning ways. First Bayern and then Barcelona. We're off to Munich, where we'll be up against a very strong team that knows how to control the ball and that has great technique. And on Saturday we have a special match against Barcelona.

Nothing is guaranteed with the 3-2 result against Bayern at the Bernabéu. What does Real Madrid have to do to win the tie?
We have to score at least one goal, and we will. The Champions is a lot different than the League. In the Champions League we face different types of teams; teams that want to showcase their game, which means more spaces for us to strike. That's important for us because we have players that can do a lot of damage when given the room. I am very optimistic.

Will Madrid sit back in defence and wait for the chance to counterattack?
No! No! We know we have to score. We're dead meat if we sit back. We have to find that goal and I'm not throwing out the possibility that we can win. We can win in Munich. Why can't we win there if we're a team that has won a lot of road matches? Hopefully we'll eat them alive. It will be a very even match and we have a good chance of moving through to the next round. This is the type of match that really judges a team's character. We'll be knocked out if we wait for the minutes to tick off the clock while trying to keep the game at a deadlock. We can't be intimidated. We have to have a winning attitude, be brave, and play to win.

Are intense matches which are chalk full of pressure like this one the ones you like best?
Yes. This is a unique match and a footballer's dream. It's a huge adrenaline rush on its own, I don't need any other stimulus. We know it's a Champions League game, that we have a Bayern Munich powerhouse in our way, and that winning means one more step towards being European champions. There are a lot of motivational factors. Once we take the pitch, we'll forget whether or not we played poorly in the last match. We'll be so motivated knowing that this is a huge responsibility, and that's why we'll play our hearts out. That's why I said that this type of match is a true judge of character for a team like Real Madrid. It's a great chance for us to prove we have a good squad and that we can do something special this season, so we have to take advantage. I think it's easier for a footballer to play in a match like this because there isn't so much motivation for other matches. There's no time to let loose in Munich.

Would a victory or a well-played match confirm that this team really isn't that bad after all?
Definitely. We need to prove just how good we are, because we have suffered this year. Fans need to understand that the first to suffer are the players and that we want to do well. We really want to play a great match and we're hoping this one against Bayern serves as a launch pad for us. It's the perfect time. We're going to win.

Why haven't Real Madrid come out strong with high intensity from minute one this season?
We came out strong from the opening minute of the Bayen match at the Bernabéu, and it worked. We scored three goals in 30 minutes. Of course you can come out strong from the very start, but the Champions League gives off different vibes. The fans cheer in a totally different way if you have a look at the stands. The crowd is a lot more excited. But you can't always come out to play at the Bernabéu with that same intensity. We need to play calmly. Doing things too fast may result in mistakes. We have to have an attacking mindset as long as we take the right precautionary measures.


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posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 4:33 PM