Madrid, April 6: Martin Demichelis is facing a pivotal moment early in his tenure at Mallorca, as the team prepares for a challenging match against Real Madrid. This encounter comes at a crucial point in the season, with Mallorca striving to avoid relegation.
Despite the daunting task ahead, Demichelis emphasized that the team’s spirit remains strong. He expressed confidence in his players, stating they are “alive, eager to bring joy to their fans.”
Facing Real Madrid
The Mallorca coach also discussed the complexities of the match timing, particularly how the recent international break has impacted player availability and fitness. When asked if facing Real Madrid now provides any advantage, he refrained from a direct response but acknowledged the physical strain on his squad.
“With all due respect to Real Madrid, we have five players away this week and a half for their respective national teams,” he noted. Demichelis is aware that Real Madrid’s players may be fatigued, especially after their Champions League commitments.
“Considering the fatigue of those 13 players, playing on Tuesday against a top Champions League side, and the international players worn out from travel and matches, we will approach this with the respect Madrid deserves. But we’re going to focus exclusively on ourselves,” he added.
Arbeloa Wary Too
On the other side, Alvaro Arbeloa recognizes that this match will not be a routine fixture for Real Madrid. With Mallorca fighting for survival, the intensity of the game is expected to be much higher than usual.
“We’re already aware of the demands of tomorrow’s match, because Mallorca needs the points just as much as we do. We’re ready. It’s never easy to play away from home after a break. There are nine finals left, and tomorrow is the first one,” said the Real Madrid manager.
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