Overview
- The former Barcelona and Sevilla midfielder’s AS interview, published Thursday and Friday by Football Espana, Yahoo Sports and Goal, landed as Real Madrid prepared for a Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
- He said Madrid’s European record is no mystery, crediting a well-run club that does things right.
- He described their method as cool game management that waits for rivals’ mistakes and then strikes in key moments.
- He pointed to a second-leg sending off against Manchester City as a moment that swung the round of 16 tie.
- He added that Xabi Alonso’s short January stint at Madrid made him sad, calling Alonso one of the top coaches.