Bellingham: “We know how important this match is and we want to win for our fans"

Jude Bellingham spoke to the media the day before the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup against Atlético (Thursday, 8 pm Spanish time, 10 pm local time): “It's going to be difficult, they're tough opponents. We have to learn from that first game against them in the league. It was our first defeat, but we reviewed the moments and learned from it. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's game.”

His change of position
“It was an easy change. In my first season here there was no natural striker, I played very close to the opposition's penalty area and I scored quite a few goals. But after Mbappé' s arrival, we have a natural striker who scores 40 or 50 goals a season. It's no longer necessary for me to be so far forward.”

His scoring records
“I'm going to score goals every season because I have the finishing touch. I scored 15 playing further back, which is not bad at all. This season I've scored a few and I'm playing further back and have more influence on the play. It's a different role, but goals have never been the most important thing for me. I can do a bit of everything where I'm playing now.”

On Vini Jr.
“From my perspective, I think there is a lot of pressure on Vini. He does a lot of good on the pitch. Maybe it's a block in front of goal, but I think he's an electric and very creative player. Goals don't tell the whole story, there are assists and important plays. We have to see him as a very useful partner. We all want him to be his best again, when he is at his best he is very dangerous. I'm sure he's going to come back to his old self.”

Is the derby played with the heart or with the head?
"These matches are played with a mixture of both. You can't just have your head or your heart, you have to use both. We know how important this match is for the team, we want to win for our fans. We'll have to talk on the pitch, be focused and know how to manage the game at certain times.”

What do you think of the World Cup being played in Arabia?
"The facilities are very good and so are the pitches. You can play important matches in this country. The people in charge have to take tournaments to different continents so that the sport can grow. It's a bit of a long trip but the experience is very good. Hopefully, England will be at this World Cup, I'm sure it will be a very successful tournament.”

The coach's future
"We are all united in the dressing room, the coaching staff and the players. Sometimes there are ups and downs, but we have to see where we are now: in the semi-finals of the Super Cup, four points behind the league leaders and in the top eight in the Champions League. That's not a disaster, in my opinion. Being Real Madrid, everything is exaggerated when things aren't quite right, but we want to be better. Those decisions are taken well above me."

Are there issues in the dressing room?
"When things don't go well, a lot of problems are made up. We really know what goes on inside the dressing room. From the outside, it's seen from a different perspective. We are all with the coach, there is no debate. He is very positive, he is a very positive influence and we are working to improve. I get on very well with my team-mates and with Vini Jr. If, for whatever reason, you see that things aren't going well, we sit down and talk about it. We are all with the coach to the death."

Did you say that Real Madrid need English players?
"Where did you read that? That's totally untrue. No player has that influence at any club.”