César Azpilicueta: “Sometimes we need people to tell us things even if they hurt”

This time the appointment is not outdoors, in the tents set up by the Federation in one of the Las Rozas fields, but in one of the booths set up inside a pavilion transformed into a ‘media center’. César Azpilicueta makes himself comfortable in one of the chairs located about four meters from the journalist. Handshake is prohibited. Each one in its place, with the safety distance set. The captain of Chelsea, brand new champion of the Champions, made his debut in the European Championship with a win against Slovakia. A good day that allowed the team to gain “confidence” for tomorrow’s game against Croatia. “Runner-up in the world, great team,” he warns. After the draws against Sweden and Poland, La Roja released all their fury against the Slovaks. They won in tranquility.

–
The sun has risen again for the selection.

– The first two results were not what we would have liked. With the victory against Slovakia we have achieved the objective, but we do not want to stay here. May the sun continue to shine.

–
Was there room for fear after the two draws?

– Fear, no. If we analyze the two games, the way we play and the chances we create … If we had not managed to unfold our game, if they had dominated us and made 20 shots per game, then everything would have been different. And it was the opposite. We had overwhelming dominance, although we weren’t effective in both areas. That’s why we don’t win. If not, we would have reached the third game in other circumstances.

–
And how did they reach the ‘final’ against Slovakia, shaking?

– No, responsibly. It was as if it had been a round of 32 match. We knew that if we didn’t win we would go home. It had to be accepted and assumed. But that can’t stop you from developing your game. You must give your best.

–
Sometimes the pressure paralyzes.

– Footballers have to live with it. All matches are lived with tension and the result plays an important role. You have to know how to live with it.

–
He made his European debut in the last game of the group stage. Until then, his last match with the national team dated from November 2018, against Bosnia. Why so silence?

– Because in many of the occasions I had not been able to give my best level. I am honest with myself. I couldn’t offer the national team the level that I have been showing for so many years at Chelsea. I had that little thorn in it. He had not come for a long time. I always had the illusion and the hope to return. It has come to me in a Eurocup.

–
It is not usual for a footballer to talk about his own demerits. The normal thing would be to complain.

– It’s no use complaining! I would fool myself. How is that usefull to me? I am self-demanding and if out of ten things I have done well nine, I am left with the bad. I want to improve. With the national team I have lived final phases in which I have not played much or I have played and they have not gone well. Hopefully in this European Championship I can get my thorn out.

–
When things don’t go well for you, where do you take refuge?

– It is important to analyze yourself, to know what you are doing and how you can give more. Where can I improve? How can I help the team? How do I regain confidence? These are the questions you should ask yourself. There is no need to look for excuses. If you are not honest with yourself it is difficult to improve. You have people around you who support you, but sometimes we need people to tell us things even if they hurt. From there, to grow. In football and in life there are better and worse moments.

Croatian passion

–
Speaking of moments: it’s time to face Croatia.

– World runner-up, a great selection. They are the round of 16 of a European Championship and any match at this stage of the tournament is complicated. They are a great team, but we have confidence in ourselves.

–
What strikes you most about the Croats: their football or their indomitable spirit, their passion?

– It is a group that has been together for a long time. They have experience and a great competitive gene. They were runners-up in the world and in the lower categories they also do a good job. We know that we are facing a great selection.

–
Is Spain a favorite?

– No. I don’t like to talk about favorites. It’s something for the outside world, but you have to prove it on the field. Sometimes it can be clear, but in this case it is not.

–
Dani Olmo spent five years in the ranks of Dinamo Zagreb. Does he talk about the Croats?

– Yes. He spent a lot of time in Croatia and, in addition, he has immersed himself fully in its culture. Speak Croatian. But I have my partner Kovacic, who has been with me for a long time at Chelsea. They are very competitive people and they live their country a lot, they feel it strongly. That’s where that competitive gene comes from in all sports, too.

–
If you could cross out a Croatian from the list, who does not play against Spain, who would you remove?

– LOL. It’s hard. Can’t I remove the eleven? They have Kovacic, Modric is the Ballon d’Or … I think his strong point is the midfield.

–
Have you talked to Kovacic these days? Any calls …?

– We were talking…

–
Y?

– Nothing, nothing, it wasn’t much either. We said ‘see you on Monday’. And luck. Point. (Laughs)

–
How far can they go?

– As far as we can show. It is in our hands. We’ll see. Soccer sometimes makes you experience good things and sometimes not so good. What we have to do is give our best, comply with what is in our power.