Real Madrid Manager Pau Quesada Emphasizes Maximum Demands Ahead of Champions League Clash With Manchester City
Real Madrid head coach Pau Quesada has described the upcoming UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage fixture against Manchester City as a contest where the demands are absolute, with his side searching for all three points on English soil after opening their European campaign with a draw against Paris Saint-Germain at Valdebebas.
Chasing Victory in Manchester Following PSG Stalemate
The Spanish side travels to England facing immediate pressure in the group stage following their opening home draw against PSG. Quesada made it clear that his squad cannot afford to dwell on the solitary point currently on their ledger as they prepare to face last season’s standout English domestic champions.
«La exigencia es máxima, tenemos que ir buscando los tres puntos», Quesada stated ahead of the fixture. The Catalan manager added that his team approaches the fixture on equal terms, noting that there is no room to calculate points in such a demanding European group.
Tactical Outlook and Controlling the Midfield
Analyzing the tactical challenge posed by the English club, Quesada noted that the hosts thrive when dominating possession. The technical staff has placed primary focus on neutralizing the opposition’s central players, whose technical proficiency dictates the tempo of their attack.
«Ellas se sienten muy cómodas con la pelota», Quesada explained, outlining the need to tightly manage central areas due to the high quality possessed by the English side’s midfielders. Despite the daunting away assignment, the Real Madrid manager expressed anticipation for an entertaining and closely contested 90 minutes.
Evaluating European Tiers and Squad Standing
Addressing where Real Madrid currently ranks in the continental hierarchy, Quesada placed the Spanish club alongside elite European contenders such as Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and PSG. He maintained that while clubs like Barcelona and Lyon occupy a distinct tier above the rest of the continent, the competitive parity among the chasing group remains intense.
According to the Real Madrid coach, Manchester City performed better than any other side outside of Barcelona and Lyon during the previous campaign, despite the English champions not participating in the Champions League last season.
Eva Navarro Praised for Defensive and Offensive Duels
Joining Quesada at the pre-match press conference, forward Eva Navarro received strong backing from her manager regarding her impact in European competition. Quesada highlighted her statistical dominance during the previous Champions League campaign.
«Junto con Ona Batlle, fue la mejor en duelos defensivos y ofensivos ganados. Fue una de las más dominantes en la pasada Champions», Quesada noted while discussing Navarro’s defensive and offensive contributions from the right side of the pitch.
Sustaining the Flow and Maximizing Efficiency
Reflecting on his team’s overarching form and attacking output, Quesada pointed to domestic fixtures as proof of the side’s attacking capacity. He highlighted a recent encounter against Eibar—which ended in a scoreless draw despite Real Madrid generating 26 chances and restricting opponents to a single corner—as his preferred tactical performance in terms of all-around balance, while emphasizing that finishing efficiency remains the primary target moving forward.
«El camino lo tenemos claro para crear ese equipo competitivo y que nos guste ver», Quesada concluded, reinforcing that while finishing efficiency is vital, the team remains fully focused on continuing to generate high volumes of scoring opportunities.
- Dante explains why Lucas Da Cunha struggled at Nice
- Watch Liga Endesa Basketball Free on DAZN Open Days (Oct 1-5)
- Yan Diomande Pressures José Mourinho for Real Madrid Starting Role (bytewire.news)
- Greater Manchester launches scheme to keep neurodivergent children out of justice system (newsarchyuk.com)
