Carvajal: "The team is focused on Juventus and we're building confidence"

Carvajal, Huijsen and Víctor Muñoz spoke to the press on the eve of the Club World Cup Round of 16 clash with Juventus, set to be played at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium (Tuesday, 9:00 pm CEST; 3:00 pm local time). The captain had the following to say: “The team can't wait for tomorrow's game. It's the start of the knockout phase, which is where the important games begin. Lose, and you're heading home. We have to go all out. The team is focused on Juventus, on tomorrow's match, and we're building confidence. I hope we can book a place in the quarters.”

“We had our problems in the group stage. We came through the Pachuca game with ten men from very early on. The team is gaining in confidence and tomorrow's opposition will be stronger than what we've come up against in the tournament so far. It's tougher opposition and it's knockout. I can't wait."

Xabi Alonso and the system
“The coach is bringing real versatility to the team with Tchouameni's position. And I'll play anywhere, even in the sticks. I've played at centre-back, left-back, on the wing… I'm always ready for anything the coach asks of me. I'm available to help out in any way I can."

His recovery
“On a personal level, I feel great, I'm back in the group dynamics. I don't know if I'll be part of the squad tomorrow, perhaps I can be on the bench and available to the coach. I'm really pleased in that sense. I know myself and I know that if they bring me on, I'll give 100% out there. All out. No fear, confidence is sky high. This is all behind me now. I'm lacking match practice, I've only been back training with the group for a couple of weeks."

"Until you've been through it, you don't really know the impact it'll have. It came at a more mature stage of my career. The people around me, my family, my kids, and the structured life I lead, have all helped me in terms of the recovery. If it had happened at another stage, perhaps I would have been more concerned and mulling it over in my mind. You have to deal with it from day one. You know you're facing a long time out, so it's about not rushing things and accepting you have to take it one step at a time. Almost nine months have gone by and I'm ready to compete."
Tough moments
“There have been moments where being injured really gets to you, but that's just the way it is. I was up every day, full of energy and grateful, whether it was in the gym or walking around on crutches, I tackled it quite happily. That's what the process is all about."
Joselu and Gonzalo as an option
“We did good things with Joselu in the team. He's your typical number nine that pins the centre-back and scores late goals. I think of players like Luuk de Jong as well, who clinched a lot of points for Barcelona. We were lacking that option last year, with injuries and such. Gonzalo is more than ready. He's got great energy, he's physically developed and he'll contribute an awful lot. If the club decides he should play that role, he'll do it brilliantly, I'm sure."
Huijsen: “We're ready and I hope we can win it”
“We're ready and I hope we can win it. The plan is to head into it in good shape physically, and we have faith we can do that. We're playing for pride and to win the game. That's the plan."
“We're Real Madrid, we're obliged to keep winning. Our goal is to lift the trophy. It's brilliant to have players like Carvajal back, he's crucial for us and will help us to be stronger."
His form
“I'm pleased. There's always room for improvement and I hope we can see that again tomorrow."
The calendar
“We have to play, that's all there is to it. I'll do as I'm told, I love playing football."
Mbappé
“You'll see tomorrow, but I think he's alright."
His time at Juventus
“They're proper defensive specialists and they really work hard on it. I learned an awful lot there and I'm hugely grateful."
Valverde comparing him with Toni Kroos
"Fede is an unbelievable player and teammate. Thanks a lot for the compliment." 
Jokes in the dressing room
“They're jokes between the group. That's how a dressing room is, they're great guys. I find them funny, and I hit back at them sometimes as well."
Víctor Muñoz: “The team looks in good shape”
“The team looks in good shape to me. It's been an unforgettable experience for me to share a dressing room with so many great players. I'm really proud, and I'm learning so much. All us academy graduates enjoy this experience, this dream, together, and we'll try and make the most of it until the final second."
“I try and get all I can out of learning from the experienced lads, and everyone helps us out. They try and keep us calm, tell us to be ourselves and not be afraid to make mistakes."
Xabi Alonso
“He instils such confidence in all of us. He's very down-to-earth and he encourages us all to put the pressure on."
Gonzalo
“Seeing that an academy graduate has the chance to make it at Madrid is beautiful. I'm thrilled to see Gonzalo doing so well."
The weather
“We're getting used to it. It's not easy because it's so hot. All you can do is try and perform at your best in the circumstances."
Pressure and social media 
“These things are part of football. Sometimes the ball goes in, sometimes it doesn't. That helps us gain experience, improve, and keep moving forward. Everyone in the team, my family and the club supported me and were really good with me about it."