Carvajal: “We're having a great year and we want to make it to the final in London”

Dani Carvajal appeared before the media in the press room at Real Madrid City ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern München. The defender said: ‘Im very proud to have worn this jersey for so many games. Hopefully tomorrow's game will be another one. There's not much more to say when the time comes to play the second leg of a semi-final in your home stadium. The motivation of the match itself ensures that your attention level is at its highest. We know that we're up against a side with a history in this competition, so we have to attempt to beat them and reach the final in London’.

‘We're very excited because we're having a great year, we've only lost two games. We're very passionate about the European Cup, we're two games away from being able to lift it again. As we go out on the streets, the madridistas congratulate us on the season we're having and they inspire us to knock out Bayern München and, why not, dream of that fifteenth’.

On Ancelotti
‘I think that both the manager and his staff this year are behind a large part of our successes. Important players like Karim and Marco have left the team, but we've been able to offset them with some very good arrivals, and we've had long-term injuries to three first-choice players. And the facts are there, we're two games away from winning the Champions League, or one game away from playing in the final. The coach has been able to keep virtually the entire squad focused, everyone has contributed, some more minutes and some less’.

Receiving the league trophy
‘We're focused on winning our games. When we receive the trophy, we'll celebrate. We don't care. We will present it to our fans when we and the club deem it appropriate. I don't think it's going to dampen the celebration of winning the trophy. We're now focused on tomorrow's game, which is extremely demanding".
 
What would you say to the Dani Carvajal from the youth team?
‘I remember very fondly all the experiences I've had here, from the youth academy to the first team. I often try to reflect on the Dani Carvajal who came through the youth system full of desire, enthusiasm and ambition to progress through the ranks. Playing like a child sometimes frees you up on the pitch and allows you to play with a lot more confidence".

Demand
‘Wearing this jersey and being the best club in the world is what it means. We demand the utmost day in, day out. Everyone decided not to celebrate last weekend, because it wasn't in our own hands, and that was the best way to do it. We have a crucial match tomorrow. We'll have time to celebrate at the end of the week. This decision stems from the highest demands that we have’.

His role
‘Every player's role within a squad evolves. That depends on how much time you spend in the squad, what you can contribute. I'm one of the veterans now, one of the captains, and I try to be an example for everyone. A teammate in which they can see themselves reflected. So that they can talk to me about any of their concerns. I try to ensure that the youngsters don't get distracted and, like this year, everyone is pulling in the same direction because we're closer to success’.

Vini Jr.'s evolution
‘He's improved in every aspect. His finishing, physically, his maturity when playing, knowing when it's right to attack the space or to ask for the ball to be played to his feet. He's one of the best players in the world and he's proving that. We know that he puts in a lot of work away from Valdebebas, having his training sessions, physio and coaching. All this is helping him to be one of the best in the world. Hopefully he can help us on the pitch tomorrow and see us through".

Transition
‘I was one of those youngsters a few years ago. You have to try to always keep your eyes on the older guys in the dressing room. Nowadays all the guys are very prepared. They know where they are and what this club represents. I'd urge them to be patient. You can spend two seasons where you're not a first-choice starter, but virtually every player has to go through those times. You have to look at it as an apprenticeship, it will make you more complete as a player and when the chances come, you'll be better prepared’.

System
‘We have a bit more running out wide, with more players central. I'm bringing a lot more offensively this season. We're all adapting. The system is also adapting to the new players, to the line-ups that the coach is putting out and to the opposition. We're all doing our best and with the quality that the team has, we're putting in some great performances’.

Are you scared about tomorrow's game?
‘The coach is getting more and more scared. That's to be expected. We're only one game away from being able to experience another final against a top opponent. Given the experience I have, I try to enjoy every moment, every training session and every team get-together. I can't wait for tonight and to watch the other semi-final with my team-mates after dinner. Those are beautiful moments that you remember when it's over. That tingly feeling in the morning, when you wake up or when you're with your team-mates doing a rondo. I travelled with the team last week, even though I couldn't play and I still had a sense of happiness. If I have to play tomorrow I expect it to be like that and not to waste energy being nervous’.

Could this be the last Champions League game at the Bernabéu for some players?
‘It's hard to tell everyone's situation. We're focused on the end of the season. It'll come at some point for me too. Right now I'm under contract and I'm very happy here, but we have to enjoy every game. Hopefully not tomorrow, but some of my team-mates will have to experience their last Champions League game at the Bernabéu. Hopefully it will end in a win for Madrid and we can celebrate it together’.

Hunger for trophies
‘The high demands placed on us by this club mean that you have to fight for everything every season. The fans and the players want more. I joined the team eleven years ago and I think we've had an impressive decade in terms of trophies and achievements. Hopefully we will continue to extend it from tomorrow’.

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