Excited Solari relishing Champions League coaching bow

Real Madrid's interim coach, Santiago Solari, says that he cannot wait to coach in the Champions League for the first time on Wednesday.

Published : Nov 07, 2018 00:55 IST

Santiago Solari, Real Madrid's interim coach
Santiago Solari, Real Madrid's interim coach
lightbox-info

Santiago Solari, Real Madrid's interim coach

Santiago Solari is thrilled to have the opportunity to coach Real Madrid in the Champions League and hopes to see further improvement from the team in Wednesday's Group G game against Viktoria Plzen.

Interim coach Solari has overseen wins over Melilla and Real Valladolid, in respective Copa del Rey and LaLiga matches, since taking charge of first-team affairs following the sacking of Julen Lopetegui.

A third successive win will be expected when Madrid faces Plzen at the Doosan Arena and Solari – a Champions League winner with Madrid in 2002 – is relishing the challenge.

READ: Lukaku ruled out of Juventus clash

"It's always very nice, this competition, which is linked to the history of our club, inseparable," said a relaxed Solari in a news conference.

"When we hear the Champions League anthem, we all get excited. It's fantastic to be back in this competition. This is my third game in this role, so I'm very happy that I get a chance [in the Champions League]. I enjoyed it a lot as a player."

Real was far from convincing in its 2-0 victory over Valladolid last time out, but Solari feels that it is making gradual progress following a humbling 5-1 defeat to Barcelona in Lopetegui's final match at the helm.

ALSO READ:  Ronaldo a goal machine and money-making machine for ambitious Juventus

"When you look for a solution to a problem in football, it's never just one thing, it's step by step. We've taken two steps, two games. We had to play well to win them, you don't win games without doing things well, and they were tough games," said Solari.

"We did a lot of good things in these two games and we have to do what we did well again, but also improve what we didn't do well. Every team can always improve."

Solari and Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez, who spoke before the interim coach, each had words of praise for teenager Vinicius Junior following his game-changing cameo against Valladolid.

ALSO READ:  Sanchez gives Man United options at Juventus

"His football reflects his age, he's got excellent ability for his age. He's raw and his football shows happiness. We're all excited. Everyone who loves football, every time a player who does different things, we're excited," said Solari.

"He will be a complete footballer in the future ... but we have to take things slowly. He has a lot of things to learn, of course, he's 18 years old. But, he also knows things that you can't teach."

Nacho added: "I think he's doing well. He needs to be calm and we need to not put too much pressure on him."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment