REAL MADRID-PSG
Di María warns Real Madrid: 'PSG are stronger than last year'
The Argentine player says PSG are hitting a nice vein of form and that regardless of Real Madrid's league form, the Champions League anthem transforms players.
Ángel de María has given an interview to PSG's official website just three days out from a ky Champions League game against Real Madrid. The Argentine has spent time with both sides and spoke about Christiano and Neymar, two players who will be pivotal to the result next week.
What is the mood like in PSG's camp? "We are aware that we are stronger than we were last year. We have big ambitions and we can realise them. But also, we know that to win the Champions League, you need more than just talent and you need a big of luck. Without those two conditions, it is very difficult to win the competition. I remeber when we won in 2014, when I was at Real Madrid. The game was almost over and we drew in the last second to put the game in our favour. You need a little bit of luck to win these types of games."
What do you think of Madrid's form? "Real Madrid are a great team, and they are always looking for the Champions League. It's a completely different competition than the league. When you hear the Champions League anthem, players transform and give their everything. This applies to us too. If Madrid are not going well in the league, they will give everything to beat us, in front of their fans. It will not be an easy game."
What are they keys to the game? "I don't think they play for possession of the ball, like us. Our style of play is more like Barcelona. Madrid played, for the most part, on the counter. When their opponents loses the ball, they move forward very fast, and they have the players to do it. And that's why the games against these players are so difficult to control. The key to the game will be to keep the ball, play our game, play like we know how to, completely focused on defense because we know they can score at any moment."
Neymar against Cristiano: "These players are very similar. They are quick, they are very strong at one-on-ones. They play fast and they put a lot of intensity into the games. Neymar is smaller, and that's what his advantage can be. But between them, they are capable of tipping the games."
How do you explain your own form? "Here in Paris, all of the staff make sure that the players feel important. But when a player plays less, you can lost something in confidence. I fought to put in good performances at the start of the season, because I had to recover that confidence in myself. After the winter break, I started a few different games, I had the chance to shine again and I wanted to make the most of those chances. And, of course, the support from my teammates has helped me a lot."
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| Classification | PTS | WM | TM | LM |
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| Upcoming matches |
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