Real Madrid vs Valladolid - Indescribable atmosphere at Bernabeu is Real deal for Solari

Posted Saturday, November 03, 2018 by PA

Santiago Solari says he will feel like a fan when he takes charge of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Solari, who played for Madrid for five years between 2000-05, is in temporary charge after the sacking of Julen Lopetegui on Monday and sees his side face Real Valladolid.

“You feel a special something when you come to the Bernabéu as a fan,” he said. “I get excited when I go to games.

🎙💬 Santiago Solari takes charge of @realmadrid in a LaLiga match for the first time tomorrow! Hear his thoughts on his first days as head coach and tomorrow’s match against @realvalladolid. #HalaMadrid | #RMTV pic.twitter.com/l7h92XKolB

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 2, 2018

“As a player, it was indescribable as well. As I coach, well, I’ll see tomorrow, but I don’t imagine it’ll be too different to how I feel as a fan.

“This group have made the dreams of Madridismo come true and I hope the fans will help us and cheer us on tomorrow. We’ll do our best to respond.

“We’re up against a very organised, well-drilled team. They’re coming here with their confidence sky-high, unbeaten in seven games.

“It’s an important game. We’ll have to put in a disciplined, strict performance.”

Real Madrid vs Valladolid - Indescribable atmosphere at Bernabeu is Real deal for Solari — The Bernabeu is Real’s 81,044-seater base in north Madrid (Adam Davy/PA)

Solari won his first game in charge on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey when they beat third-tier Melilla 4-0.

The LaLiga club are expected to tie up their next managerial appointment in the next two weeks so the 42-year-old is taking each game as it comes.

“I live only for the next game, which is all I can and must do. The team is the same, but that’s football and I’m perfectly happy for this to be the case.

“There are several objectives in football: scoring goals, defending, attacking well, the transitions, but joy, character, hunger and desire are things which hold just as much importance as anything else.”