MADRID, 14 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp, was confident this Tuesday ahead of the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 match that will take place this Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid, at the same time that he recognized how difficult ” of the task, although he assured that they are going to try, since they have “nothing to lose”.
“When the first leg ended, I said that Real Madrid would go through with that result, but now, three weeks later, we know that there is a game to play. Even if there are only 1% options, we are going to try. Regardless of the result, we know that It’s possible, not probable, but it is possible. We respect the competition and the opponent. It’s difficult because we’re not in a good situation, but we’re looking forward to the game,” said the coach at a press conference.
The German, aware of the ‘roller coaster’ that this season is assuming, acknowledged that he was confident for the second leg. “If we are capable of surprising ourselves negatively, we should also surprise ourselves positively. If this is an up and down tomorrow it’s time to go up. I’m not saying to Real Madrid: ‘be careful we’re here’. It’s not going to be enough to play a good game, we have to have a very good game,” he said.
“It’s difficult because we probably won’t go through and besides all of you here think we don’t have a chance. I’m the only one who thinks we have a chance, but the situation is this and we’ll try to do what we can. It doesn’t help much to tell the team so many times that we have to win. But we are going to make a serious attempt and we will see what happens. Of course there is a problem in scoring three goals. We also have to make sure that we do not concede. We are alone because everyone thinks that Liverpool will not go through” he added.
In this sense, the coach spoke of the pressure from the whites to defend the result. “We have nothing to lose, the only problem is that we could lose a game, which is a very bad thing. I would prefer their situation, having more pressure to defend a 3-0. After three weeks I think we still have to play the game and we are delighted to have this almost zero opportunity,” he said.
The Liverpool coach also analyzed the first leg and stressed the need to stop Madrid’s counterattacks. “The only problem we had was the counterattacks in the second half. You can’t block Vinicius all the time or Karim (Benzema). There was a time when we did in the first half and we scored two goals. From a tactical point of view We have to be very active and defend at a very high level, with a good presence in midfield. We have to make sure we avoid counter-attacks”, he pointed out.
“Real Madrid can smell blood and we are confident that they have a lot of ability. They have won a lot and nothing can really move them in a negative way, this is something admirable. We play differently, it is more a matter of their mentality. Madrid they have all my respect, they are a fantastic team. Luka Modric will continue playing until he is 45 years old, they are incredible players. Madrid has given me several difficult moments and I have learned what I could learn”, he assured.
REAL MADRID MAY BE DEAD, BUT THE BLOOD SMELLS
For his part, the Liverpool player, Fabinho, also spoke of the possibilities of a Liverpool that “has nothing to lose”. “I think it’s important to have that mentality. We have nothing to lose. Everyone expects Madrid to pass and that can be good for us, because we have the responsibility. In this group some of the players have had similar experiences, like the game of FC Barcelona that we turned around at Anfield”, he indicated.
“The games against Madrid are the games that you then leave thinking you’ve done wrong. I personally can’t find the answer. Until another game arrives and you have to change your focus. From the first leg I remember that we played well, but Madrid is a team that always plays the same and I think it’s something we can learn from. Madrid may be dead, but it smells of blood. If you give them an opportunity, take advantage of it”, said the footballer at a press conference.
The midfielder once again insisted on the idea of not conceding any more goals in the tie. “You have to have a cool head, it’s not an easy result, coming to the Santiago Bernabéu down 0-3, but I think it’s important not to start desperate. We need to score, but the most important thing is not to concede. If we go 0-0 At half-time it will be a good result, because after a goal anything can happen”, he settled.
“It is very difficult for us, but we are not lost. We have to be motivated, but the situation is very difficult. We have to play our best game, play intelligently and try to win. Just winning is not enough, but we have to do everything possible to enjoy and if we can reach an extension or do it directly it will be good”, he asserted.
Lastly, the Brazilian highlighted the good form of his compatriot Vinicius. “Vini is in a tremendous moment. In the first leg he showed why he is one of the most decisive players. It will undoubtedly be a great challenge to stop him. But if we want to have opportunities we have to leave very few spaces for Vinicius, even if it is not easy. The focus can not be only in him, but it is necessary to try to stop it”, concluded.