Laporte: “You have to be very careful with Benzema”

Aymeric Laporte (Agen, France, 1994) is one of the best power plants in the worldBut when he was little he was a forward. He grew up seeing the successes of the french team who conquered a World Cup and a Euro Cup and now wants to emulate them as a footballer. In Manchester carries less than three years , but it already feels like home, “although it lacks the weather”. In January 2018, the City paid its clause of 65 million euros to Athletic Club and alone an injury has prevented be indisputable. The numbers do not deceive: it is the Premier League player who faster has arrived to 50 wins (59 games), beating Didier Drogba, who did it in 60 games. The objective, without a doubt, to win the Champions League. And Real Madrid arrives on Friday.

—He was a boy when France won the World Cup and the Euro Cup. He remembers?
—I remember many things, the atmosphere was incredible. Everyone got together to watch the games, I think it was like Spain a few years ago.

“Who was your reference?”
“Paddle, no doubt.” Although there was more. Wiltord, for example, or Dugarry. Especially those who played in the Girondins de Bordeaux at that time, which was my team as a child.

“Did you always want to be central?”
—I started as a forward, then I became a midfielder and at 14 I ended up being a central defender. I did it out of necessity for the team. Defenses were needed, nobody wanted and I covered that role. It went very well and I liked it, although I like to score goals more.

—He is 26 years old, but he debuted very young, do you feel like a veteran?
—I feel quite shot in the elite, that's true. Time flies by, I already feel like one of the old men.

—What do you miss from Bilbao?
“The companions were the host.” The group was very close. I felt part of that team where everyone is from the same area, with the same culture. That helped a lot. I also miss the fans, who are incredible in Bilbao, and those who run the club, who are very sorry and who are former players. Is too much visible.

—Bielsa marked him, even visited him in Leeds.
“Made me debut!” My first game in the First Division was with him. I trust myself. I am very fond of him.

“Does it have similarities with Guardiola?”
—When I spoke to Marcelo, he told me that what he liked about Pep were all the achievements he had made. He said that you can be better or worse, but what remains in history and in people are the results. That is why Pep is a benchmark worldwide.

—Left-handed central defender, great ball output, good long movements … How is your role in a Guardiola team?
“I do what is asked of me, more or less correctly.” Sometimes we risk and lose it, but we try to do our best. My role is what has to be in a team as good as ours. I have incredible teammates, most of them play for their national teams, it is a joy.

—Pep tends to surprise with his starting line-ups in the Champions League qualifiers, but Laporte has always been a starter. Does it feel fixed?
“You always have to earn the job, I fight every day for it.” I don't feel like a starter, but it is true that I have played quite a few games, many important ones, and I am grateful for that.

“What do you think Manchester City's success is due to?”
—The Pep Guardiola effect is a fact. Modern football has changed, both in our team and in those who have been before. He has had incredible results and that is largely thanks to him.

“Is it intense in training?”
“He lives it long.” And it works a lot. This is why he is so perfectionist.

—They have the Kun Agüero down, will they miss it?
“Who doesn't know Kun?” A casualty like yours is always important. All the goals he has scored and the career he has had since he was very young … He is one of the best forwards I have seen, but we trust the other teammates.

—Real Madrid lacks Sergio Ramos, is that key?
“We also have our major casualty.” Sergio Ramos is important, but we want to show that we can play better than them.

—They have conceded only one goal in Etihad in the last seven games. Real Madrid needs a minimum of two. Does it reassure you?
—We have a very marked game, recently we have been very good and we have to continue in this line. It will not be easy with Real Madrid.

– Is the Champions the thorn in Manchester City?
“It is so.” We have been talking about it for a long time, it is what we lack. Last year we won four titles in the same season and we missed the Champions League. If we have this year, perfect.

“What have they lacked in recent years?”
—I don't know, the equipment is similar. Goals at home have been key. Last year we scored the same goals as Tottenham and we were eliminated. We have everything to do great things. The equipment is very plugged in, there is not much to change, just a little more luck. We have lacked that final spark that we will surely achieve.

—Without Ramos, the headlines will be Militao and Varane, another Frenchman, a year older than you.
—We do not agree in lower categories, but we do in the absolute. It is in a very good moment, as I have been told, so let's see if it deviates against us and can help us (laughs) … He is a good boy out of the field, exemplary and it is a pleasure to talk to him.

“What about the Benzema season?”
—He is in shape, he has scored many goals this season, he also assists a lot … We will have to be very careful. But as with everyone, most of their players are international.

“What about Hazard?” You saw it and suffered it in the Premier League.
—I haven't really seen too many Real Madrid games, I can't comment much.

—Zidane is one of those footballers who have marked the history of French football. Now on the bench, how do you rate your work?
—His work is exceptional. In so few years as a coach, winning so many titles is crazy. In France we have him as a very important character, I can't say bad things about him, only good things.

—He was injured at the beginning of the season just before the call with France, with which he has not yet debuted. Do you feel like that absolute debut?
“Yes, I was in a great moment.” Life things. There is no need to think more, you always have to see the positive. Now I am fine and I still have a lot ahead. The selection is an illusion, debuting with the selection of your country is a dream. If it has to be done it will be done … and I hope soon.

“What goals do you set for yourself in the future?”
“I have a few years of football left.” I want to get more. I want the Champions League and I want to debut with the national team.

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Laporte and Brahim, a friendship outside of football

The duel between Manchester City and Real Madrid it is also played every night in Fortnite or FIFA. During confinement, for example, they organized a charity tournament to raise funds against COVID-19. Aymeric Laporte and Brahim Díaz were inseparable in Manchester and still very close in the distance. Without going any further, they were together on vacation just a few days ago and the Frenchman was one of the first to congratulate the Madridista's 21st birthday last Monday.

“We met when I got to Manchester and we maintain the relationship“recalls Laporte.” I came alone and we had a lot feeling. Also, I spent a lot of time with their family, which is lovely, and I had a great time with them. I have also visited them in Madrid“

Laporte is already adapted to English life: “Manchester lacks the weather to make it better, but the city is growing a lot. In the afternoons I get together with enough friends for coffee and I like that. “