Arsenal's Spanish international spoke to The Guardian about the Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Mikel Merino is one of the Arsenal stars who will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals . The Spanish international spoke about that match in the pages of The Guardian.
"We know Madrid's history, but we have to know that we're also very good, that we're improving, and that we can beat anyone," said Mikel Merino , adding, "We're excited. We dominated most of the matches, we were very good in qualifying, and we managed to rest some players in the second leg against PSV. We're confident."
Mikel Merino highlighted Real Madrid 's ability to resurrect themselves in the Champions League. "It's a gift. From the outside you can feel that they live on the edge, but perhaps inside it's different: staying calm when one is vulnerable, in chaos, is a talent; having the maturity, the stability to manage the moment and not let it become a crisis, to then turn it around. Knowing that matches are long, that mental and physical aspects come into play. They are extremely good technically and they also have the mentality that, when things are not going well, they think: our moment will come and when it comes, we will win. And experience has proven them right," explained Merino.
The Spanish player plays as a number nine for Arsenal due to injuries. "Injuries can't be an excuse, but the season can't be explained without them either. The fact that I'm playing as a center forward... wasn't the plan. Liverpool has played very well, winning practically every game. We've dropped important points. But that thing about changing the mentality; we changed it in the Champions League," said Merino, who now plays for the national team and agrees with Asencio, whom he will face in the Champions League: "I've seen it on television, but it's good to see it up close. It will be different on the pitch. We know Madrid is tough, but we're excited. It's a historic match for the club."