Racing midfielder optimistic about team’s chances of beating Real Madrid: ‘We have to play our football’

Racing midfielder optimistic about team’s chances of beating Real Madrid: ‘We have to play our football’ After an enthralling win over Barcelona last weekend, Real Madrid’s confidence is as high as it could be. In a matter of weeks, they have turned the negative feelings around the club into a highly positive atmosphere, and the season’s progression could not have been better. Now, they return to the field against Racing Santander on Sunday night and will hope to carry forward the same momentum. Racing Santander midfielder speaks Racing Santander star Ivan Martin spoke to Diario AS ahead of his team’s clash against Real Madrid and was asked if he saw any chance for the hosts to beat Jose Mourinho’s side. The player admitted that it would be very difficult, but maintained optimism in Racing Club’s chances. Real Madrid are high on momentum. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) “Sure, but we have to have a great game and they have to have a normal one. If they have their day, it is very complicated.” When asked how they could put pressure on Real Madrid and what the secret was to beating them, the Spaniard said, “If we leave them the spaces that we leave, they will pass through us and they will do us a lot of damage.” “We have to avoid that, we have to be a block and a compact group to be able to hurt them, so that they also suffer,” he added. The journalist then asked the player if applying a low block was not the default plan they had in mind against Real Madrid. “Not at all, you know that José Alberto likes to die with his idea, as it should be,” he said, denying the same. Racing Santander are doing well in the top division. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) “We know how to play one way and we don’t have to lock ourselves up excessively because that way we know that we are not good.” Urging his teammates to also push with everything they have got against Real Madrid, the player said, “We have to play our football. We are dangerous with the ball and more at home; we are proving it. Logically, being in Madrid we have to have certain surveillance.” Playing at home gives Racing Santander an edge, especially given how they are unbeaten at home this season. “The numbers support us: being in El Sardinero gives us 60% or 70% more chances of winning than if the game was at the Bernabéu,” Martin said. Finally, the Racing star was asked who he would remove from the Real Madrid team if he was given the chance to take one player out. “Right now, Bellingham. It was seen against Barça that when he is in form, he seems to be playing against children.” “He has physical deployment, driving, passing, arrival; I think he has everything,” he concluded.