Nacho Fernandez has told his pre-match press conference that ‘it doesn’t matter’ whether he faces Roberto Firmino or Diogo Jota tonight ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League visit.
There has been a lot of talk about how Jurgen Klopp will set up in Madrid and whether he will start all four of his Liverpool attackers.
Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are obvious starters, but will Jota lead the line for Liverpool or will Klopp go all out and select Firmino as well? Or perhaps spring a surprise and leave the Portuguese speedster on the bench?
Nacho was asked about how he is going to prepare for such a matter ahead of tonight’s heavyweight Champions League showdown.
“At this level, at the professional level and the qualifying rounds, it’s most important to prepare mentally and to focus than specific pictures for whoever you are going to face,” said Nacho.
“You have to be ready to face (whoever) and it doesn’t matter if it’s Firmino or Jota. You have to give your 100% for the whole match.
“I like to think about myself and to think about facing the match in the best possible way. It doesn’t matter who I have in front of me. The better thing is to be better than your opponent.”
It’s going to be a serious tactical battle both on the touchline, which Zidane won in 2018, and a quality battle out on the pitch.
Given that both Real Madrid and Liverpool are missing their star men at the back, it might become a bit more of an open affair, especially with the form both teams are in going forward.
Jota has to be a certain starter tonight because every time he’s in that penalty area it seems as though he is going to score.
But, most importantly, he is the one getting the best out of Salah, Mane and Thiago in midfield.
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