Ahead of the Champions League group stage matchday 3 clash where RB Leipzig will visit Real Madrid, RB Leipzig coach Demichelis spoke to the media.
What do you think of Diomande? What can we expect from him after he played a few games for Real Madrid?
I didn't have the opportunity to coach Diomande; there were already rumors he was going to Real Madrid, and that possibility has now become a reality. I've known him for many years, seen him on video, and watched him play on TV. His achievements at RB Leipzig last season were also evident.
He has the ability to break through opponent defenses and has a bright future. The key now is how he performs; he must seize the opportunity. I expect Vinicius and Mbappé to be available tomorrow. We know Vinicius is currently suspended in La Liga. Regardless, Real Madrid's attack will be very threatening.
You mentioned Mbappé. Do you think he deserves the Ballon d'Or?
Yes, it's a great pleasure to play against him. When we face top players and top coaches, that's actually the most exciting experience in football. So tomorrow we will play against a strong team at the Bernabéu, facing excellent players, and I think we will face a huge challenge here, especially in terms of concentration.
You were in Madrid for the 2010 Champions League final, playing against Mourinho. What are your thoughts on his coaching style? Now that he has returned to Real Madrid as head coach, what inspiration have you drawn from him?
It's great to see him again, and even more so now as a coach. I still remember talking to him in the tunnel after the final; it was a very profound conversation that truly moved me.
It's a great pleasure to meet him now as a coach. So what can I expect? Respect, and the wisdom he can impart. He knows how to manage Real Madrid, and he clearly knows how to coach Real Madrid. So it will be a very exciting reunion.
The topic of referees has always been controversial in Spanish football. From an outsider's perspective, what are your thoughts on this? Do you think it will affect the game?
I don't want to comment on that here, and I can't comment on these reports. Yes, referees have to do their best. Sometimes it's better, sometimes they make mistakes, but it's not my job to comment on it.
About six months ago, you led Mallorca to defeat Real Madrid, which not every coach can do. Of course, you are now at a different club, and Real Madrid also has a new head coach. That game was also not at the Bernabéu, but in Mallorca. However, a game like that can still serve as a reference. Did you rewatch that game during your preparation? If so, looking back, were there any scenes or special aspects that impressed you and that you applied?
I didn't watch that game at first, because the team was completely different, and the situation was completely different. It was after an international break, and all Real Madrid players had played for their respective national teams, then played against us two or three days after returning. Three days later, they had their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich. That might have been the best time to play Real Madrid, but that's a completely different story, and it's already history.
For us, the most important thing tomorrow is to get into the game and try to play our own game well. We've already discussed this, and Raum put it very well: we need to play bravely, show our personality and our footballing ability. I think we learned that from the last game.
For better or worse, you've seen how your team is performing right now. So what advantages can help the team win?
We achieved a good result against Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven in the last round, which shows our strength. Now we must replicate that result. That game was a week ago, and it really needs to inspire us and show our strength. We know these players can perform well with and without the ball, and tomorrow we will try to implement our tactical style.
It's been 16 years since the Champions League final between Bayern and Inter, and tomorrow you will return to the Bernabéu as head coach of a German team. What did you learn from that game? Perhaps those experiences can help you?
Yes, that's right, I lost that final. I've lost many finals, but the feeling of losing, the emotions after losing, you have to learn to deal with them. Perhaps you'll understand it better over time, but when you give your all in a final, that feeling is completely different. But losing is also part of sports, and I personally learned a lot from it.
Because two weeks before the final, I didn't have the chance to play for ten whole days, which made me realize that now you have to give your all, do your best, to be in a good position for the final. Now as a coach, I know players always want to play, want to compete. Whatever happened in the previous two weeks, you have to adjust your mindset. I've experienced all of these: the Champions League, the World Cup, and the Copa América. What did I learn as a player? And what did those experiences mean? And now, perhaps from a distance, you look at the game's outcome differently.
If you could choose one Real Madrid player not to play, who would it be?
That's a good question. I'd say Mbappé.
You are very familiar with Spanish football and Real Madrid. Perhaps this is a special opportunity for you to be involved in this match?
For us, this is also a special moment to show a different version of ourselves than last weekend – that wasn't the team we truly wanted to present. We want to be the team that plays well every three to four days, and I fully trust my players. Tomorrow, we will show a different side of ourselves.
What do you think of RB Leipzig captain Raum's performance? Will you field the same team against Real Madrid tomorrow?
No, we won't field the same starting lineup as against Bayern. As I said, we need to play with higher intensity.
Raum is our captain, and he has played every game, but for me, it's important to talk about the team's performance as a whole, not individual performances. I am personally very satisfied with this player, and it's an honor for me to be the coach of RB Leipzig. Coaching Raum is also a source of pride. Yes, a captain must always have charisma, and our whole team must achieve this; this is our philosophy, our football spirit.
Can Baumgartner and Wédraogo return?
Everything is going well, and they will be on the bench tomorrow. Let's see, they might only play a few minutes, but they are ready.
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