Chus Mateo: “We dug in well when we went behind”
“I'm in good shape; Llull have made a real effort and we've managed to get back in time for the Copa del Rey,” explained Tavares following the win over Río Breogán.
Chus Mateo and Tavares assessed Real Madrid's win over Río Breogán on matchday 22 in the League. The coach explained: “We dug in well when we went behind. We struggled on the offensive rebound and weren't able to close it out, so that gave them second balls that we can't allow to happen. We'll have to sort out our defensive mistakes before the Copa del Rey. We can start thinking about that now."
“These last couple of games have allowed us to give minutes to Llull and Tavares and that's sure to be good for the team. We're going into it with guys hitting from and the team looking complete, which is the most important thing for me, to be able to play as a team and be together as a unit. That's the key to dealing with what's coming up. It's something that's built over the course of the year, not in the last week."
The Copa del Rey
“I hope everything we've been working on comes to the fore: to feel like a team, understand we can't win without the help of our teammates, and understand we need each other's help, even if it's only for two minutes. We'll try and give it all we have and make sure the fans are proud of us."
On Musa
“He's an emotional guy, he's extraordinary and he has an amazing heart. He's not forgotten the year he spent in Lugo because it meant so much to him and allowed him to take a step up and show how good he is. We tried to take some of that pressure off him early on and he put in a good performance all round, so he helped us like the rest of the team. We fought to the end, digging in, that's important."
Tavares: “I'm in good shape and happy to be back”
“I'm in good shape. We're all ready for the Copa del Rey, it's a competition we enjoy and both Llull and I have made a real effort to get back in time, and we've made it. I'm happy to be back."
“I knew the first quarter wasn't very good. I started a bit cool and they were very strong. That's to be expected because they're at home and the fans give them a boost. We knew it would be tough."
Feelings
“I think the team looks good. Everything we've done so far means nothing because anything can happen in the Copa. We're focused and taking it game by game."