Varane: “Playing Chelsea will be demanding physically, tactically and technically”

Raphaël Varane was the player selected to speak to the media on Monday, ahead of the Champions League first leg against Chelsea. The defender previewed the match and highlighted how strong he thinks the English side will be, stating: “It’ll be very demanding physically, tactically and technically. We know how important the small details are, so we have to prepare well. Chelsea are a very complete team. They have forwards with different qualities. We just need to adapt well to the speed, aerial play and different tactics they might use. We’ll have to be united in defence and leave few spaces.”

Discussing Real Madrid’s lack of goals of late, the centre-back said he wants the team to be more direct. He said: “We always want to create danger. We have to find solutions to score more goals. I think we believe in our players and I think that we can cause danger in every game. It’s about everyone. We’ve been creating danger, but we can do more especially in the last 30 minutes. I think we can be more vertical there and get to the area more.”

Reflecting on the journey to this point and the season as a whole, Varane said: “It has been a very difficult season, very demanding physically. There have been many games. I was able to take a rest from playing due to COVID-19, but, well… I think you improve every year and I think I’ve done that this year in this long season. I like trying to add new things to my game, playing in different positions and with a back three. I like the position of being in the centre of the back three. Now, we don’t have long left, but we want to finish he campaign well.”

Of course, his contract situation was brought up too. Yet Varane was vague in his answer. He said: “My future is clear. I’m focusing on the end of this season. We’re in the middle of a very intense moment and have to fully focus on these upcoming matches. If I have a message to the fans then it’s that I’m 100 percent with the team and will give my all. We have a difficult challenge over the rest of this season.”

Like his coach Zinedine Zidane did in his own press conference, Varane dismissed the notion that there will be repercussion from UEFA because of the club’s role in the Super League project.