Real Madrid's head coach defended the team's style of play following their dramatic penalty shootout win over Manchester City in the Champions League quarterfinals. The LaLiga giants advanced to the semifinals after a thrilling encounter that ended 4-4 on aggregate, with Madrid prevailing in the penalty shootout.
Despite facing criticism for their performance, the coach emphasized the importance of both attacking and defending in football. He expressed satisfaction with the team's overall display and highlighted the positive reception from the fans, noting that he had not encountered any unhappy supporters following the victory.
Madrid's next challenge will be a semifinal clash against Bayern Munich, with the first leg scheduled for April 30. However, before focusing on the Champions League, they have a crucial LaLiga showdown against Barcelona on the horizon.
Heading into the El Clasico, Madrid currently holds a comfortable eight-point lead over Barcelona in the league standings. A victory in the upcoming match could potentially secure their position at the top of the table and significantly impact the title race.
On the other side, Barcelona's coach also praised Madrid's performance against Manchester City, acknowledging the difficulty of facing such a formidable opponent. Despite their recent Champions League exit, Barcelona remains focused on their domestic campaign and aims to bounce back from the disappointing result against Paris Saint-Germain.
Reflecting on their elimination from the Champions League, Barcelona's coach admitted to a moment of frustration that led to his sending off during the match. He emphasized the need to learn from mistakes and maintain composure in challenging situations.
Regarding internal team dynamics, the coach addressed recent criticisms within the squad and assured that any issues had been resolved amicably. He emphasized the importance of unity and a positive team environment as they strive to achieve their goals in the remaining fixtures of the season.
