Pau Quesada: “We are very prepared to face this knockout round”

Pau Quesada and María Méndez they addressed the media in the press room at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium the day before the match against Barcelona, corresponding to the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League (Wednesday, 6:45 pm; Disney+). Our coach analyzed the match: “We have to try to find that dynamic in the game that we've been carrying in recent matches, with assertiveness in our area. There will be many phases, and we need to know how to dominate the small moments we encounter. We are very eager and ambitious to create a context and energy that will resonate with the Di Stéfano, so the players quickly find that rhythm and go for it.”

“In the three previous Clásicos, we've had situations where we could have even taken the lead, but we lacked assertiveness in the area. We will try to stay true to ourselves and maintain our identity. They make adjustments in every match, but we will adapt to those small details to generate our game and aim for perfection during the 90 minutes because against this type of opponent, 60 or 70 good minutes are simply not enough. It's really 180 if we also consider the second leg.”

The support of the Di Stéfano
“The responsibility is ours to connect with the fans and inspire them. It’s something we talk about often because we want to build a team that resonates on Wednesdays and Sundays. We want the people who come to the Di Stéfano to feel proud of what they’re going to see, of the intentions their team has, and of what it will generate. We have a venue that has already helped us in this European Cup to continue advancing rounds, and we’ve felt it at home. We want the fans who come to support us to help us keep building those perfect 90 minutes we strive for.”

Seven consecutive victories
“We are arriving in a good defensive moment because the team has been very assertive in defending the area. We've had inconsistency in terms of play and offensive rhythm in some matches, but that’s normal given the number of games. We’re at a very good level, but we need to touch perfection in the 90 minutes and push ourselves to take another step forward. I wouldn’t say we’re at our best moment because we want to keep building and become a better team, but we are very prepared to face this knockout round. In Europe, we’ve only lost one match, and it was in London, where the team was competitive. We know we’re prepared to be in the top 8 and, why not, the top 4.”

María Méndez: “The squad has the ability to face anyone”
“The importance of defensive solidity in the team has been evident in recent matches, and we need to maintain it tomorrow and in the upcoming games. These are quarter-finals, and it will be tough, but we defend from the goalkeeper to the striker, and that’s how it will be tomorrow.”

Demand
“The entire squad is aware of what’s at stake in this knockout round. We are prepared for 180 minutes, and we know what the opponent will demand from us, but we have the ability to face anyone.”

This season’s Clásicos
“The elite mentality means you don’t have time to dwell on regrets. We’ve already faced Barcelona three times and have taken both the positives and negatives from those matches. We work every day to overcome ourselves. We are ready for anything. The team is very focused.” 

 

Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.