Solari pre match press conference: Santiago Solari addressed the press gathered inside the media room at Real Madrid City on the eve of his side's trip to Balaídos to face Celta. The Whites' boss previewed the LaLiga Matchday 12 encounter (8:45pm CET) in the following terms: "We'll have to reproduce the same organisation, sacrifice and hunger we've shown in our most recent games. It'll be tough. We'll be playing for what are three very important points in a tough away game in which we're up against strong opponents. We'll have to be disciplined and focused. That's what we'll be aiming to do". "I see the players as being keen to come away from there with the three points as we look to cut the gap. Top athletes never underestimate their opponents. You've got to go out and play every game and do a lot of good things to win them. We're going to have to do that and more besides to pick up the next available three points. This is a sport that involves all of us. Players, coaches and staff at all levels of the club want to do everything in their control to ensure that things run smoothly". Dressing room "They're always the same, they're full of footballers, who live their lives with the excitement of playing and performing to the best of their ability. They want to enjoy themselves and win. I'm not going to discover anything new about the competitive level of this team now". Ramos "Ramos is a brave and honest man.This is a contact sport, in which every single ball is contested at full speed and it's part and parcel of the game. Nobody's nose has had more breaks than his, I think he's had three now. There was no malice in it. We play fair, but it's a contact sport". "I share the same thoughts as everyone and they revolve around us doing as best we can to get the win tomorrow. Football is all about the players. I can see the commitment and discipline they put in to every game. They'll have to do the same again tomorrow. Every game is decisive because you can never get those points back. I'm just focusing on the Celta game and I think that's what we should all be doing". Bale "I've liked what I've seen of him in every position. He's capable of operating down the left, on the right or up front or in the number 10 role or even as left wing-back. What he has to do is steal the show every time he takes to the pitch, just like he did the other night against Viktoria Plzen, when he produced a great performance". Vinicius Jr., Odriozola and Reguilón "There are a lot of factors that influence things in football: injuries, suspensions and form. They've done very well in the game time they've had and their youth hasn't been noticeable. They've played at the Bernabéu and in Europe and the weight of responsibility of his shirt hasn't been an issue. That's a source of satisfaction for everyone at the club. The more competition for places there is, the better it is for everyone". Isco "We know all about his quality and what a special player he is in his position. He's training hard to get himself in tip-top shape. It's not easy to come back after a delicate operation. We all know that this game is all about training to the best of your ability to get you performing to your best. My job is to name the team and every professional player is perfectly clear on that. I imagine that he's taken it all with a professional attitude". Keylor Navas "He's a gentleman and a strong man too, he's reliable and is conducting himself excellently. He's a well-liked figure within the dressing room. We've got a squad of 24 players and he knows that only 11 can play".
I wonder how much of Courtois starting every match is Solari and not instruction from above.. Anyways, give us three points and no injuries
⚽🔥 How many of these Balaídos GOALS can YOU remember? #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/QogjO22X8m— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 11, 2018
This season we've stumbled every time Barca dropped points. Massive opportunity for us here, let's see if the team has what it takes to get the job done.
If Solari goes on to play a midfield of Casimero, Modric and Kroos well struggle in a big way. Edit- it looks like he did , what would it take to kill this line up? Bad performances certainly don’t do it.
That midfield is logical. Kroos is picking up form Casemiro is a no brainer Modric rested and ready Who do you take out of that midfield for what we have? Asensio? Isco? Lol Edit: I looks like we want to play wider with Lucas starting.
I am hearing from people here they expect this to be a tough game but we just need more flare in the midfield and attack. One of Kroos or Modric should be dropped in favour of an attacking player.