“The coach wants us to win the ball back as high up the pitch and that’ll give us a lot of options,” said the defender.
Fran García spoke to the media following Real Madrid’s progress to the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup. The defender said: “Today’s game is a reflection of what is happening. The teams are better prepared in the first half and are not so tired. Then, in the second half, we can take advantage. We’re in very good physical condition and that works in our favour.”
Pressing high up the pitch
“The style of play suits me. The approach that the coach wants is to win the ball back as high up the pitch as possible and that’ll give us a lot of options to break into the opposition’s first third of the pitch and create more chances. That’s always good for our forwards. Trent and I have to help out and try to get forward and link up.”
On Gonzalo
“Experiencing what I’ve experienced and coming from where I come from, which is a situation like his or Asencio’s, I would tell him to prepare himself and to be ready. For him to have this recognition is something to congratulate him on. Keep working. Let all the boys who are here with us and those who are in Madrid who haven’t had their chance yet know that everyone is important. I hope we can draw on them a lot.”
