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'Others at Real Madrid can do what Ronaldo does'

  /  autty

The 2018/19 season has started well for Borja Iglesias, the most expensive signing in Espanyol's history.

He signed from Celta Vigo during the summer for 10 million euros and has already scored once and provided one assist, with Espanyol having earned seven points from the first four rounds.

They take on Real Madrid next and, ahead of the match, the forward talked about Los Blancos, his own team and much more in an interview with MARCA.

The season couldn't have started any better for Espanyol, as you're fourth and have seven points. You've started well too.

"We are happy, of course, although everything can be improved. We are still irritated by the match in Vitoria [a 2-1 loss to Alaves], where we could have won and I wish we had won. But we are happy because the feeling is very good. I am also happy, for the confidence I've received and because I feel like I'm becoming connected with the team."

There were a lot of clubs wanting you, so why did you pick Espanyol?

"For me, it was relatively simple. When this option was proposed to me, with the style of play here and the project at the club, it all motivated me a lot. This was a place where it seemed like it had what I needed at this time. It was very simple."

What does it mean for someone young playing their first LaLiga Santander season to go to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu?

"These are nice matches because they serve to show us how strong or not we are. We can measure ourselves and we'll be going through moments where it's not easy to perform. We have a lot of desire. For me, it's special because I've never played in a match like this. Yet it was also special to play away at Balaidos or in Vitoria."

What have Real Madrid lost with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo?

"Cristiano Ronaldo has shown that he can score goals. I don't think Real Madrid have lost that. That's the truth. There are others who do that very well and who are capable of doing what he does."

Can you beat this Ronaldo-less Real Madrid?

"Yes, they can be beaten. Any team can be beaten. However, it obviously requires a lot to take a match like this and we are aware of that. But, why can't we beat Real Madrid?"

Rubi's ambition seems to have rubbed off on you.

"I think that for somebody who competes it is important to have this mentality and to see that you have a chance and to believe you can grab your chances. I believe that being ambitious is good, as long as you are also respectful. Bravery and boldness are adjectives that describe this Espanyol team and I think that'll also be true when we play against Real Madrid."

Who were your idols as a youngster?

"I had many. When you are young and like football then you have many footballing idols. I always liked to play as striker and focussed on them. There was Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Villa and Fernando Morientes. I grew up admiring them and trying to learn from them, as difficult as that is."

What headline on MARCA would you like to read after the match against Real Madrid?

"I'd love if it said that Espanyol had won at the Bernabeu. That's something all of us would like to read. But not in any way, as I'd like to win by competing as we know how to, going for the match and experiencing a difficult match, with suffering but also the feeling of having the ball and being ambitious. Being ourselves."

And with a goal from you?

"That would be nice, that's true. But as long as it would help us win. If not, then it's so nice to have scored at the Bernabeu."