De la Red: "Isco has to realize that Real Madrid doesn't wait for anyone"
Rubén De la Red took part in a pre-derby event with former Madrid and Atlético players. "Whoever isn't up to the level at Madrid, loses their place to someone else".
Former Real Madrid player Rubén de la Red found himself on the losing side in today's II Desafío Derbi padel challenge organized by AS and Masó Sports Club. After losing to Atleti veterans Pantic and Ríos, De la Red spoke about the current state of affairs at Madrid and gave his thoughts on Isco: "Real Madrid is a club that does not wait for anyone. Every player in the squad is good enough to take your place and so whoever isn't performing to the required level will be left behind", he explained.
Goals are still an issue for Madrid
De la Red, who was forced to quit playing football after experiencing heart problems, was part of the Real Madrid side which won the league in 2007. During this morning event, he spoke about Saturday's derby at the Wanda Metropolitano. "It will be a clash between two great sides who will be battling for LaLiga in May", he said, adding that he is enjoying the new-look Madrid under Solari: "A lot has improved since he took the reins but the team still needs to be scoring more. At the start of the season, everyone was hoping that Karim and Bale would step up and assume that role. Madrid still lack a player who can score week in, week out. Do I think they need to sign anyone? It's been a while since Madrid brought in any big name signings but despite that, they still won three Champions Leagues on the trot".
"The best Vinicius is yet to come" - De la Red
The former midfielder knows theough his own experience what is involved when making the leap from the reserves to the first team at Real Madrid. "I think it's important to be patient with Vinicius. It's not that before of all this he was an expensive signing, nor is he now the team's leader. Settling into the Madrid side has never been easy and we need to give him time. The best Vinicius is yet to come", De la Red told AS.
Goalkeeper Jordi Codina, was a team mate of De la Red's in La Fábrica and in the first team squad between 2004 and 2009, also spoke about Saturday's derby: "They're different, they aren't like normal games. They have a special significance and for that reason they demand more dedication. With the derby, the recent form of either team counts for nothing".
As for Álvaro Morata joining the Colchoneros, Codina aired his opinion: "These are situations which can happen during a player's career, you never really know which club you might end up at - the only thing that matters is that you are happy".
