MX23RW : Tuesday, November 6 18:22:59

Result: ‘Indescribable’ atmosphere at Bernabeu is the Real deal for Santiago Solari

The caretaker manager is preparing his side to face surprise package Real Valladolid.

Santiago Solari says he will feel like a fan when he takes charge of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Solari, who played for Madrid for five years between 2000-05, is in temporary charge after the sacking of Julen Lopetegui on Monday and sees his side face Real Valladolid.

“You feel a special something when you come to the Bernabéu as a fan,” he said. “I get excited when I go to games.

“As a player, it was indescribable as well. As I coach, well, I’ll see tomorrow, but I don’t imagine it’ll be too different to how I feel as a fan.

“This group have made the dreams of Madridismo come true and I hope the fans will help us and cheer us on tomorrow. We’ll do our best to respond.

“We’re up against a very organised, well-drilled team. They’re coming here with their confidence sky-high, unbeaten in seven games.

“It’s an important game. We’ll have to put in a disciplined, strict performance.”

Real Madrid v Manchester City – UEFA Champions League – Semi Final – Second Leg – Santiago Bernabeu
The Bernabeu is Real’s 81,044-seater base in north Madrid (Adam Davy/PA)

Solari won his first game in charge on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey when they beat third-tier Melilla 4-0.

The LaLiga club are expected to tie up their next managerial appointment in the next two weeks so the 42-year-old is taking each game as it comes.

“I live only for the next game, which is all I can and must do. The team is the same, but that’s football and I’m perfectly happy for this to be the case.

“There are several objectives in football: scoring goals, defending, attacking well, the transitions, but joy, character, hunger and desire are things which hold just as much importance as anything else.”

Valladolid are two points better off than Madrid ahead of the game and coach Sergio Gonzalez told the club’s official website: “We go without fear.

“We have to be true to ourselves and be solid in defence.

“We also have to have personality with the ball and try to do damage in the transitions.”

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona1173131141724
2Espanyol11632158721
3Sevilla116232213920
4Atletico MadridAtletico11551136720
5AlavesAlaves116231511420
6Real Madrid115241614217
7Levante115241716117
8Getafe11443119216
9Real Valladolid1144399016
10GironaGirona114431314-116
11Celta Vigo113532016414
12EibarEibar114251218-614
13Real Sociedad113441213-113
14Real Betis11344812-413
15Valencia1118279-211
16Villarreal11245911-210
17Athletic Bilbao111731116-510
18Leganes11236916-79
19Rayo Vallecano111371223-116
20Huesca11137923-146

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