On the eve of the upcoming UEFA Europa League quarter-final between Spain and Germany, Spanish right-back Carvajal attended a pre-match conference with manager De La Fuente to share the team's preparations and his personal views on the game.
Carvajal began by describing the atmosphere in the dressing room, stating that the team is in great shape at the moment and that the players are both calm and full of energy and confidence. He emphasized that the Spanish team will have to give their best and show their best form against such a good opponent as Germany.
For many years Germany did not beat Spain in the competition "curse", Carvajal think this is no special reason. He pointed out that the match between Spain and Germany has always been evenly matched, and the winner often depends on the details. He expects it to be a 50-50 match, with both sides having a chance to win.
In response to teammate Joselu's joke about wanting Kroos to retire, Carvajal said that it was just lighthearted banter on the field, and that the Spanish team's goal was actually to win the game. At the same time, he also talked about Pedri's dissatisfaction with Rüdiger's on-field antics, saying that these behaviors should be judged by the referee, but hoping that the game will be exciting and Spain will be able to win.
Speaking about Germany's high press and Spain's mistakes in the Georgia game, Carvajal said that the team has learned from it. He emphasized that in the upcoming matches, Spain will pay more attention to details and execution to cope with Germany's powerful attack.
On the role of psychological factors in the game, Carvajal believes it is very important. He said that the players need to keep a clear head at all times to catch their opponents on the break and dominate. At the same time, he admits to being prepared for a possible loss, as it is part of the sporting game. He emphasized that no matter what the result is, the Spanish team will give their all for the jersey.
Speaking about his pre-match pep talk, Carvajal said he hadn't thought about the specifics yet. But he said he would instill confidence in his teammates and mobilize them like any other teammate. He believes that with the joint efforts of the team, the Spanish team will be able to meet the game with a full state of mind.
In response to Lehmann's comments, Carvajal said the team will not refer to others' opinions. He believes that the Spanish team has enough strength and confidence to deal with any challenge. At the same time, he also revealed a funny story between himself and Kroos, saying that he hoped to talk to him about his retirement during the game or hoped that he was not in good shape. But he also emphasized that this is just a joke, in fact, he hopes to be able to compete with Kroos in the game.
Speaking about Germany's strengths, Carvajal said that the German team has world-class players and a similar style and attacking approach to Spain. He believes that the pace of the game will depend on the intensity and determination of Germany's pressing. But he also said the Spanish team is well prepared to meet these challenges.
Finally, Carvajal also addressed the issue of pressure on young player Yamal. He said that this is not only a problem for Yamal alone but a common challenge for all players playing on three fronts. He called on UEFA, FIFA and national football associations to pay more attention to the physical and mental health of players to avoid the stress of overplaying.
