EUROPA LEAGUE
Mariano: "It's a massive pride to have played with Benzema"
The Olympique Lyon striker gave an interview to UEFA's website before the game against Villarreal and discussed his exit from Real Madrid, Cristiano and Benzema.
Mariano Díaz has given an interview to UEFA's website and he spoke about his new life with Olympique Lyon, his departure from Real Madrid and his next challenges.
On Real Madrid: "My time at Real Madrid was very good. There is where I grew as a footballer and as a person, I was allowed to be an elite football and I am very grateful. Zidane is a really good manager. He brought me to the first team and I am very grateful to him. He said to me that Lyon could be a very good destination."
Cristiano and Benzema: "You learn a lot of things from them. Benzema and Cristiano are excellent forwards, they play very well and they have lots of goals. In every training session, in every details, every player can learn something from them. It is a pleasure to have played with Benzema.
Lyon: "I knew the club. I saw them play a lot in the Champions League, the last year with Lacazette, and they always seemed like they are a good team that play nice football. There are titles there. The truth is that I felt some pressure because he scored lots of goals here and he left a massive stamp here, he had a good record.But this pressure also helps you to be better than you are now and to not disappoint."
Europa League: "It's a difficult competition. Great teams from all over Europe qualify, the best. We will fight for it and to get as far as possible. I haven't followed Villarreal to much this year but they are a good team that always play well, that always bet on a good style and this year, also, they won at the Santiago Bernabéu. We will see how the match goes, we also usually have possession and we will try for the first game and the tie."
