Quique: “You have to play Madrid with energy and heart”

How do you face the game after seeing Madrid’s display in London?

We think a lot about ourselves, which is what will defend us at the Santiago Bernabéu. How prepared we arrive and the reading of the game. We respected Real Madrid a lot before the Champions League game. They compete by playing better or worse and they are very intimidating. We have to go with the nerve to know that it is a game in which we have nothing to lose and much to gain.

Are there words left to define Benzema?

We did not discover anything new. The first time I saw Benzema on the pitch was at the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland in 2008 and he impressed me. From there the evolution is as expected. A player that we know what he is capable of unbalancing. I’m not here to flatter the rival, but to give our team encouragement and confidence so that they go out on a difficult stage to do their best. It is important to play these types of games without complexes.

Does the victory against Mallorca make you play more calmly?

The season is having a story that we cannot change. We want to score points as fast as possible. The competition is very difficult and it doesn’t change anything to have beaten Mallorca compared to what we were before. We continue our progression. All games are different and what happens in this one remains to be written. We will compete as best we can.

They have four starters warned. Does it condition something?

We cannot afford to play with those situations. Real Madrid also has many warned. Football is made for the nature of human beings, which is to live in competition. It is not a sport of peace and once you jump onto the pitch and the battle begins there is nothing to measure. We will have to leave everything we have as we always do.

The game is in the middle of a Champions League tie. How can it affect Real Madrid?

I have lived it in my skin. When a team has to play a league match between two such important Champions, there are things to think about, to balance and mature. That will be going through Ancelotti’s head. It is the game that he will play, but we think of ours. We are in another context and what they think will be fine, but we have to manage our players.

They haven’t won away from home yet. How can you convince people that they can do it at the Bernabéu?

We go without trauma. We do not go with messages that tell us that we are a team that does not win away. We are not the worst team away from home. We have achieved very important points. We will propose a match and hopefully we get it right. We will think about doing things right. There are ninety minutes that are quite long at the Bernabéu, but we can get some decisive situation for us.

How can Benzema be stopped?

We never plan to stop a certain player, because that opens up situations for others. We work as a team and put the magnifying glass in situations that can harm us. With collective movements we try to affect the movements of certain footballers. When you play against a team like Real Madrid you have to choose. You can’t be at eleven. You have to choose and with the development of the group you have to reduce possibilities and uncomfortable situations that the rival can cause you.

They already won in the first leg. Is it helpful to remember that?

That game is past, read and talked about. It was played well and it coincided with Real Madrid not having a good day and we also had a bit of luck. When things are done with energy and heart, it is easier to achieve goals. Against Real Madrid you have to play with a lot of energy, a lot of dynamism and a lot of heart because it is a team that knows how to stick its heart to its shield and change scenarios that are difficult for them. We can’t leave anything.

With what message have you encouraged your players this week?

The players have extraordinary energy. It seems that they are going to play UEFA. They are positive, they are always happy and they go super happy to every game. You don’t have to encourage them much more than they are. They are super motivated. I imagine that they will be experiencing what we have felt whenever we have jumped into that stadium, which is a little snake that moves through the stomach and tickles you.

Do you see Madrid capable of winning the League and the Champions League?

I don’t want to have that critical look at the goals of others. I focus on ours.

Would it be worth a point?

I don’t sign anything. I am not capable of training telling the players that we are going to go out to draw. We will try to win and as Charles Bukowski said, I have no time for soulless things. We’re going to do the best we can. Hopefully we are worthy representatives of the Getafe fans and play a great game.

What reliability does it give you to recover Cuenca and the starting defense?

I trust the players who enter. Okay, you made a big effort the other day. When players are missing it is an opportunity for the next ones and when those who have been performing well all season come back, we hope they maintain the level. We don’t put on a happy or angry face when players return or are missing. We trust those who jump onto the field because they have to notice that we are behind them.