Javier Aguirre Valencia Real Madrid preview, Digi Mart USA News (Mestalla, Valencia, Spain): Valencia coach Javier Aguirre said the only way to beat Real Madrid is by “playing perfectly,” and that doing so “implies many things,” during his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s game at Mestalla.
“It won’t be easy, but our mentality is to win. At home, Madrid motivates you obviously.
I don’t need to spend more time talking about motivation with the players. This time it isn’t necessary; it’s natural.
You play against a great of Europe and the world, with a great coach and great players,” he said.
Aguirre noted that Real Madrid had just completed a perfect Champions League campaign and boasts a brilliant record. “You could spend the whole afternoon talking about them, but we’re going to try.
In a new match many things happen. Under no circumstances do we go in with the mindset that we can’t win or that they are the favorites.
We will fight, for sure,” he said.
Aguirre also paid tribute to Real Madrid coach José Mourinho. “I’ve known José for many years.
He is a very good friend and a good coach. I have nothing but words of gratitude for him.
He has always been very kind to me, a gentleman and always open to dialogue. In that sense, he is a great of football.
He has made history and deserves all my respect.”
Asked how Valencia would deal with Kylian Mbappé, Aguirre said, “He is a player I won’t be discovering now. He has an indefensible one-on-one, but we are eleven and we will try to neutralize all of Real Madrid.
We will try to ensure he isn’t comfortable, nor he nor anyone, and that he can’t develop his speed, his spectacular play and his finishing. I’m saying nothing that everyone in this room doesn’t know.”
The Mexican coach also said he expects a strong atmosphere at Mestalla as Valencia seeks its first home win of the season. “I expect a Mestalla that presses and encourages its team.
We have to give them joy and respond to that enthusiasm with what is expected of us.”
“Let people not see an apathetic team, but a team on the same level as them. Very intense, with lots of desire to win and plenty of energy.
I hope everything comes together with a good result. It would be fantastic,” he added.
Aguirre was also asked about players such as Sadiq Umar and Ryunosuke Sato. On the Nigerian forward, he said, “He is a character, but he is a good kid, a young man with a good heart.
His work off the field backs that up, with his country and his people. He is a boy of enormous heart, kind and generous.”
