A conversation between Unai Emery and Jorge Valdano

Update: Jan 31st, 2018 05:05 EST

The game against PSG has become somewhat of a "match-ball" this season for Real Madrid with the LaLiga challenge all but over coupled with last week's shock Copa del Rey elimination at the hands of Leganés. The two-legged Champions League tie against the French side has taken on a different dimension and now bears all the hallmarks of, if not a final, then at least a semi-final in stature. As part of the build-up to the fixture, television network BeIN sports broadcast an intelligent and interesting interview between Jorge Valdano and Unai Emery with pressure also on the Ligue 1 side and the Basque coach to deliver on Europe's biggest stage.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery Reuters / Charles PlatiauCHARLES PLATIAUREUTERS

History

I thoroughly enjoyed the interview as both individuals are eloquent and know the game well. I also recall Emery's first forays into the world of management when he was in charge of Lorca and even back then he displayed plenty of promise. I remembered his name as previously my grandfather had relayed stories to me of his grandfather who played in goal for the Irun based side Real Unión, who won the Copa del Rey on a handful of occasions before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Unai's father too was a goalkeeper but Emery himself failed to impress as a player but has found his vocation in the game as a coach.

Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Spanish coach Unai Emery (L) shakes hands with PSG's Brazilian forward Neymar during a training session at the Camp des Loges in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near ParisBERTRAND GUAYAFP

Bench of riches

At Paris Saint-Germain, Emery is overseeing some of the finest talent around, with Neymar being the obvious example (“he transmits magic to the rest of the players”) along with emerging talent Mbappé (“he is already a mature player”). To get the best from players like these requires a special skill-set which he plays-down during the interview. He was also anxious to pay tribute to the Sevila fans and admits that their unconditional support was pivotal in the club winning three Europa League titles in succession: “There are fans who support the team even through bleak times"...Emery is a fine product of the Spanish game and is a level headed and pragmatic person who has the responsibility of over-seeing an expensively assembled bench at PSG. It's a worry and a shame that he'll be on the opposing side come February 14.