Solari: “The players showed their character”

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari talked to the press after the team’s 1-4 away win against Valladolid in La Liga. It looked as if Madrid were headed to yet another discouraging loss after Valladolid got the lead, yet Los Blancos managed to come back and score four goals to bounce back from the recent defeats against Ajax and Barcelona.

“It was a difficult week for everyone, also for the players, the first 20 or 25 minutes reflected that and it cost us. We dug in during the early stages and in the rest of the game the players came back in to it. It was a difficult game and the players reacted and showed their character. This is a group of great players and people with big character,” said Solari.

“This victory was built on commitment and reaction to adversity. The players put all their effort in to achieve our goal. We came to a difficult stadium against a team in need of points who made things difficult for us. This fills us with pride because it is a group of big professionals,” he added.

This could’ve been Solari’s last game coaching Real Madrid, according to reports from the Spanish press. Still, the 1-4 win could also be enough for him to stay until the end of the season given the lack of candidates to replace him.

“That’s not an assessment for me to make. I work with my mind set on the next day, the next training session. That’s all we focus on,” said Solari when asked about his future.

The Argentinian coach was also asked about his mindset after being knocked out of the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

“We’re working the same as ever. There’s lots of noise surrounding us at the moment and that’s to be expected after this last week. It’s been a difficult spell but it’s important to see a reaction and to show character in adversity. We’re working with that same spirit we always have. Tomorrow we’ll be back at it in preparation for picking up the next three points and attempting to cut the gap if those above us slip up. If not, we’ll try and get the highest total possible,” concluded the coach.