Real Madrid are set to take on Deportivo Alaves on Tuesday, hoping to put early pressure on league leaders Barcelona.
Following their midweek defeat to Bayern Munich, Real Madrid can only compete in La Liga now, at least on paper. But they are trailing Barcelona by nine points and would need a miracle to turn things around from this point onwards.
Their opponent, Alaves, though, will be a tough nut to crack. Although 17th on the league table and battling relegation, they have not lost a single game in their last four matches.
Speaking ahead of this contest, Deportivo coach Quique Sanchez Flores talked about Real Madrid and how the game may unfold this Tuesday.
What the Alaves coach said ahead of the Real Madrid clash
On the approach to facing Madrid, Flores was pragmatic, acknowledging that keeping a clean sheet would be central to any positive result.
“Against an opponent of that stature, they will always commit you much more at the Bernabeu. We have to do things very well and have a pinch of luck, because it is a team that at times pushes you to the limit,” he said (h/t Diario AS).
Quique Sanchez Flores is ready for the Real Madrid test. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
When asked about his tactical plan, the Alaves coach was equally measured. “We must carry out our plan so that the game lasts as long as possible and we can get to the last 15 or 20 minutes well.”
Flores also pushed back against the idea that Real Madrid’s difficult season makes them any less dangerous.
“They have very good players, some close to being Golden Boot and others who were close to winning the Ballon d’Or. They try hard and try to do their best, but the seasons then unfold in many ways. That should not be forgotten,” he said.
Finally, the coach talked about his own side’s defensive record, acknowledging room for improvement.
“The goals conceded do not reflect the chances we receive or the interventions of our goalkeeper.
“It’s a shame, but it’s true that we have more goals conceded than the percentage of situations we concede. It’s something we know we can improve and work on,” he concluded.
