Real Madrid centre back Raphael Varane has admitted that tomorrow evening’s Champions League group stage match against Inter will be a difficult one for him and his Los Blancos teammates.
Zinedine Zidane’s side are to play host to Inter at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium in a match that will pit two sides who have very much underperformed in the competition so far up against one another.
Real Madrid have just one point from their opening two group stage matches and Inter are not much better off with them only having two points.
“It’s a difficult match but we have to win. We don’t have to speculate and have to give everything. We like games where there is pressure. We are very enthusiastic about this competition,” he explained to the gathered media at the pre-match press conference earlier on today.
“We have to play the game as if it were a knockout match. We have a team to face any challenge. I see it as another opportunity because of this adversity.”
The French national team player then went on to speak about his big an impact Romelu Lukaku’s absence for Inter will have on the visiting Nerazzurri.
“I know Lukaku well. I played against him even as a child. He is powerful, with a special physique and an excellent player, but Inter have a very complete team and always create danger in the attack.”
Varane also spoke on former teammate Achraf Hakimi who left Real Madrid for Inter in a €45 million deal, including add-ons, during the Summer transfer window.
“Achraf left Real because he thought it was better for him. For him, however, this will always be a special club. He must make decisions and choose what is best for his future.
“It’s difficult for young players to emerge because at Real Madrid we always expect a lot from the players and you have to be calm and give them time to progress.
“The context is difficult for the young people here but here you learn quickly because of the pressure and the difficulties.”
