The
Real Madrid
is 24 hours of a new participation in the knockout stages of the
Champions League
, that two years ago ended with defeat against
Ajax Amsterdam
, that last year resulted in the elimination against
Manchester City
.
Now comes
Bergamo and Atalanta
, one of the most attractive and offensive teams in Europe, but also one of the most unknown to the general public among the 16 that remain alive in the top continental competition.
This was recognized by
Toni Kroos
in the press conference prior to the meeting: "
We don't know a lot about them
.
We don't really have much experience.
We will prepare with videos and we will see, it is something new and it will be complicated, that is clear. "
The German midfielder, always at the side of
Casemiro and Luka Modric
, has become over the years one of the leaders of the white dressing room, especially since his improvement with the language, which expresses both on and off the pitch: "
I always I try to give my opinion, both in the game and away
. With the ball and without the ball. Many help me, like Sergio (Ramos) and Luka, we have been around for many years now. But it is not so important how I see myself, but doing things like forever".
On the rival, and aware that "
the Champions League begins now
", Kroos acknowledged that for Madrid it will be "difficult" to master the rhythm of the game against a physical team, very offensive and that puts a lot of pressure: "We play against a team that plays in one In a way that we don't know, we have to adapt. Surely we have to defend well, but it will be important to control the game with the ball. "
And for that, the trio that he forms with Casemiro and Modric is key: "
No midfield can control the games for ten years, and we have had many.
For me, the center of the field is key to being successful, but we do not play for the people say we are the best, we play to achieve results.
Kroos will not be able to count on
Ramos, Marcelo, Carvajal, Hazard, Rodrygo or Benzema
, regular headlines when the infirmary was empty.
The German admits that the club has a problem with injuries, but acknowledges that he is not with the injured at home during his rehabilitation: "I am hardly injured. I do not live with them at home, I do not know what they do, no I know their bodies, I don't know if it's bad luck or if it's because we have a lot of games.
I take care of my body and it bothers us to have injuries, of course
. "
Zidane: "Every time we play it's like a final"
After Kroos, it was the turn of
Zinedine Zidane
, who denied that they are thinking about the second leg and stressed that the team "has the illusion of reaching the final."
"Madrid always wants to win and we are not going to be satisfied with less."
Regarding the improvement in the League and the possibilities of competing for the two titles, the Frenchman did not consider the
Champions League
as a superior tournament, but rather stressed the "pressure" that a club like Madrid always has.
"
It's what we like. And we are lucky to play a game like tomorrow's
. They are physically strong and have good players. A very offensive team. We like having pressure. It's football."
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more
Madrid
Luka modric
Casemiro
Dani carvajal
Marcelo
Eden Hazard
Rodrygo Goes
Zinedine Zidane
Real Madrid
Toni Kroos
Europe
Champions League
sports
Champions League 2020 - 2021Madrid does not risk with Benzema and will be low against Atalanta: Vinícius, Mariano and Asensio will form the attack
LaLiga Santander 2020 - 2021 Mysteries, science and an important anger: the problem of injuries at Real Madrid
LaLiga Santander 2020 - 2021Zidane and the "madness" of the league calendar: eight players in Madrid's infirmary
See links of interest
2021 business calendar
Juventus - Crotone
Osasuna - Seville
Real Zaragoza - Alcorcón
Brighton and Hove Albion - Crystal Palace
Atlético - Chelsea, live