Lucas Vazquez talks Bellingham, Rudiger, contract situation ahead of Union Berlin vs Real Madrid | OneFootball

With the top spot in Group C and a place in the Round of 16 already secured, Real Madrid take on Union Berlin in their final group game on Tuesday night away in Germany.

Los Blancos have enjoyed an unblemished run in Europe thus far, winning five in five thus far and will be eager to maintain that perfect run intact tomorrow.

But Carlo Ancelotti’s men go into the game on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw against Real Betis in La Liga, which saw them slip down to second place in the standings.

The game will not be easy either, considering Union Berlin almost held the Merengues for a draw in the reverse fixture, with only a stoppage-time winner from Jude Bellingham securing three points for them.

Ahead of the contest, right-back Lucas Vazquez appeared at the press conference with manager Carlo Ancelotti and discussed various topics, including his future.

Discussing the mindset of the team heading into tomorrow’s contest, the veteran star said: “The team is very good, in a good dynamic and we are going to try to win as many games as possible.”

“It’s not complicated to focus despite the fact that we’re not playing for anything. There’s nothing more beautiful than a Champions League match with Madrid, the motivation is to always win, to defend this badge,” Vazquez added.

The Spaniard then spoke about Bellingham and his excellent start to life at Real Madrid, praising the Englishman’s all-round contributions.

“What a player, eh! We’re all delighted with him, from the first day we’ve seen what a player he is, how much he helps the team. Goals do a lot, but he works as hard as anyone, he enjoys Real Madrid,” said Vazquez.

On whether Bellingham can emulate the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema given his goalscoring exploits so far, the defender replied:

“Bellingham’s start is impressive. We will try to help him so that he can continue in this vein for many years to come. We’re talking about Karim and Cris, two Madrid legends. Hopefully, he can get close to them.”

There was also some praise for defender Antonio Rudiger, who could be given a rest tomorrow by manager Ancelotti.

“Rudiger, like a good madman, nobody knows his secrets. He’s had a great season, he helps the team in everything, and his level is incredible. May he continue like this for many years to come, he is very important for us,” said Vazquez.

The winger-turned-right-back sees his contract expire at the end of the season and there has been talk of Real Madrid offering an extension to either him or fellow academy man Nacho Fernandez.

When asked about his contract situation, Vazquez said: “Madrid has been my dream since I was a child, my home, where I feel very good.”

Discussing whether the ‘favourites’ tag adds more pressure on the Real Madrid stars, the right-back said:

“The role of favourites has always been the same for us, we’ve always shown that we compete like the best. What we have in our minds is to win this game, to go through to the last 16 or the quarter-finals. We don’t think we’re better or worse than anyone else.”

On whether Real Madrid can win the La Liga and UCL double this season, he said: “Winning the double is what we have in our minds. All the players are trying to score more, we’re seeing that the players up top are scoring a lot of goals. If they keep going like this, we’re candidates for everything.”

Vazquez also touched upon tomorrow’s opponents Union Berlin and how things were made difficult for Real Madrid in the reverse fixture, saying:

“In the first leg, it was a complicated game, we couldn’t win until the last minute. They defend very well, they’re very tight, and they can hurt you on the counter-attack. We have to be focused.”

On the 1-1 away draw against Real Betis on Saturday, Vazquez said: “Although the point in Seville doesn’t taste like much, it’s a good point. We are focused on our own path, we don’t want to look at what the other teams are doing.”

The 32-year-old has not played regularly this season, but will start tomorrow night with Dani Carvajal out injured. Discussing his lack of continuity and how it affects him, Vazquez said:

“There are better and worse moments. I don’t lack confidence. I’m where I’ve always wanted to be, I give everything for my club and my teammates.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo