RCD Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Real Madrid, now coached by Jose Mourinho, and had nothing but praise for the Portuguese tactician.
After firing two managers last season, in Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid roped in Mourinho, who returns to the club 13 years after his first stint at the club.
And, as he gets set for his first La Liga match of the second tenure, Mourinho earned praise from his Espanyol counterpart.
Gonzaloez praises Real Madrid and MourinhoSpeaking to the media, when asked what scared him the most about Real Madrid, Gonzalez said:
“Nothing scares me, but there’s always respect, not just for Real Madrid, but for every team.
“A new coach, one of the best in the world and in history, as his trophy cabinet shows. It’s a very demanding and motivating match at the same time, and it has to serve us to give everything we’ve got.”
The Mourinho era gets underway. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
On whether he had any plans to stop the threat posed by Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe, the Espanyol boss remarked:
“Try to defend together, stay organised and defend as well as possible. Against opponents of this level, you have to defend well the entire match and try to attack with purpose, without fear, knowing that they’re also a team you can hurt.”
Continuing on what makes Real Madrid a threat, he added: “They have the ability to find you in central areas, in one-on-ones, and when running they’re among the best in La Liga. They can hurt you in behind.
“Attacking well is very important, attacking in an organised way and being prepared for when we lose the ball.”
“We have to look for players capable of maintaining this rhythm and, as I always tell them, if you can last 70 minutes, then give everything for 70 minutes. Don’t try to pace yourself. Whoever comes on will have to give more than 100%.”
On what to expect from Real MadridWhen asked if he felt that this was a good time for his team to face Real Madrid, Manolo Gonzalez explained:
“It doesn’t matter when you face Madrid. They’re teams with special talent. It’s like going to a school and saying you want the five students who get the best grades. They’re players with enormous potential. I’m concerned about how we perform.”
Manolo Gonzalez ready to face Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
“That’s what will determine the match against these opponents. It’s almost impossible for Madrid not to create a goalscoring chance.”
On what kind of a tactical style he was expecting to see from Mourinho’s Real Madrid, Gonzalez highlighted how the Merengues can hurt his team in multiple ways.
“It will have a bit of everything. There will be moments when, even if they don’t want to, they’ll pin the opponent back, but I also think they’ll have moments when they prepare to run.
“There are teams you can attack better in transition than in positional play. The signing of Carlos Espi has taken this into account. It gives them both situations. In terms of transitions, they’re the best in the world.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
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