Rafael Santos Borre (Barranquilla, 1995) arrived in Germany in July 2021 with the desire to return to a good league and compete internationally. Tomorrow it will. And not only that: he will do it against an entire FC Barcelona, of which “the individualities” stand out. However, the striker Eintracht Frankfurt warns that it is possible to hurt them because they do not know them as a team and their type of game.
Hours before this transcendental duel, the Colombian wanted to analyze for Sports world the strong points of the German team and give their support: “We will win 2-1 with my goal (laughs),” Rafael confides.
How are you doing in Germany? How are you treated at Eintracht?
I am quite happy. I arrived looking for the expectations of reaching a good league, of competing at an international level, of returning to European football… and I found myself with a very competitive league and with a team that is allowing me to know what the Bundesliga and the culture of Germany and have that quick adaptation to what European football is.
How do you define the team from within? Is it a team that plays to have the ball, or waits behind and goes on the counterattack?
We have a equipment which is very multifaceted. It depends on the rival, it always adapts to the type of match they propose. Obviously, we have virtues in fast transitions, which is what you normally see a lot of in the Bundesliga and we try to do that football. To be compact, to be very solid and to have ball possessionbut when there is a possibility of a quick attack, be a little aggressive.
You have played in LaLiga, in Atlético de Madrid and in Villarreal, has the coach asked you for any clue who has already faced FC Barcelona?
Yes, well, more than anything the knowledge I have of Spanish football. Likewise, the coach always tries to analyze the rivals himself. To look at how to adapt and how to see its virtues and its defects. And the fact that he has had games in LaLiga does lend itself to having that communication with him and know the style of football played in Spain and to what the Spanish teams bet. Knowing that the two types of football that are practiced are very different, but that you can experience a good match when there is a clash of styles.
Have you prepared the game in any special way?
Yes of course. I think it’s a special game. For us it is a game that is important because it means a lot and it is a rival that deserves (deserves) a good preparation knowing that he is one of the best in the world and that he has high-quality players. It is also special because our people are going to live it in a good way, they are going to feel it. And for us it will also be important what we can show them.
How is this new Xavi’s Barça being lived there?
They had been left with an impression of what Barcelona had been in other competitions that had crossed paths with German teams and that they came a little wrong with the efforts that they had not done quite well at the club. But today, with this new project and this new coach, they are coming in handy, very strong. It is a team that, little by little, he is feeling well, he is feeling comfortable in the games. And, as I told you, for the people here in Germany it is a great illusion to be able to face a team like this that is in a good moment.
What worries you the most about Barça, what scares you the most?
The individualities. The spaces that some players may have. Be focused not to allow combinations that we know they can use very well and do damage. And then trust in our talent, in what we have as a team, in what we are and in what we can do to achieve victory.
Do you think Memphis Depay’s withdrawal will be fundamental?
He is an important player for them. Memphis is a player who gives Barcelona an important variant. A player who has made a name at an international level and has done important things. And, obviously, not having such an important variant is always something that it can cost them but, as I told you, Barça is a good team, that has a lot of quality and that its players they can easily replace this low as well.
Where can Xavi’s men be surprised? You as a striker and the team in general?
Barça is a team that has players who have experienced many game situations during their career, who are used to this type of match and competition and it is difficult to surprise them there. But don’t know a team and their game idea, or what each player does, that It can be something in our favor.
What is Eintracht’s strong point? And the aspects to improve?
The strongest point we have is the play as a team. Be solid and strong in a single block. And be smart when managing the game. Know when to make a quick transition, when to be in a good position… and attack the spaces that rivals can leave us.
A cheer for tomorrow…
We will win 2-1 with my goal (laughs).