Carvajal: "We want to cement our lead at the top" | OneFootball

Carvajal spoke at the press conference ahead of the match against Shakhtar Donetsk, on matchday three of the Champions League group stage (Wednesday, 9pm CET). The full-back had the following to say: “We have a tough game against a team that’s second in the group and we want to cement our lead at the top because it’d be a massive step towards securing first place”.

“I feel very fortunate to have won five European Cups with this club. This secret is all about resetting every season and to keep wanting to do something historic in this shirt. The values of this club teach you to always win and fight in every game you play. On a personal level, I’m feeling good and I’ve got a lot of minutes under my belt. I’m trying to be at my best physically for the World Cup, six or seven weeks from now, and I want to get there in good shape”.

Is it more meaningful to win the league or the Champions League? "Opinions are subjective and everyone has their own one. I think when you’ve won five of the last nine competitions there’s more to it than luck. It depends what everyone thinks is fair. Football is about results and the team that wins is the one that scores more goals and concedes fewer. In this aspect we were the best. It’s a bit difficult to speak about what is fair and what isn’t. We were league champions and in the Champions League we knew what to do at the right moments. If other teams do it, it seems meritocracy is fair”.

Why aren’t Real Madrid favourites to win the Champions League? “We had a great season in LaLiga, an up-and-down Champions League season, but we managed to win the trophy. I don’t know why we’re not favourites. I don’t calculate the odds for the betting shops. Real Madrid are among the four or five favourites. We know how difficult it is to win this competition and I don’t think that anyone who is up against us doesn’t see us as potential champions”.

The demands of the fixture calendar "We know how the demanding this year is with the World Cup. We have games every three days and after the international break we had to play on Sunday with a Champions League game during the week and then on Saturday. This is negative in terms of the hours you have to rest. Loads of games and few days to rest. This can have an influence physically”. Benzema and the missed penalty against Osasuna "I don't think it will get to him. He's above that and he's essential for us. He's the best in his position. Hopefully he'll be able to score two or three goals and move on from that miss. we know what the world of football is like. There are bad games, and you can go from heaven to hell and vice versa. Whether it's good or bad you have a game a few days later to put things right”.

Youngsters in the squad “It's not about stealing the limelight, it's about completing a squad that’s undergoing a generational change and they’re the ones who will become the most important players in the team in the future. What we have today is that harmony between young players with enthusiasm and hard work and the more experienced ones. This synergy allows us to have a very good and competitive squad”.

A full-back’s job "You have to get further forward, but you have to maintain the balance. Every coach wants their full-backs to perform certain roles. For me, it’s defence first and attack second. I have to help the team and take the right decisions for it”.

The situation in Ukraine “It’s a shame that we’re in this situation in 2022, a team can’t play in their own country and there’s an exodus of national players. Watching Shakhtar, who have four points from two Champions League games, compete and create this hope, even if there are only some moments, is good for their country. It’s good that through football they can find an escape from the moment they are in”.

The World Cup "Right now I don't think many players are thinking about the World Cup. Now the calendar is so tight and you have to play the group stage in a month. Everyone wants to finish as high as possible in their league”.