Web Clubs

Where to watch LALIGA

LALIGA
INSTITUTIONAL

LALIGA WITH
SPORT

LALIGA
GROUP

play
bg-up
bg-down

Interviews

VIE 24.10.2014 | Interviews

Santamaría: "If Real Madrid don’t concede, they can win the Clásico with their individuals"

The former Madrid player, who won five Liga and four European Cups with the side from the capital, analysed the tie for LFP.es: "Barcelona have defined an era in Spain".

Interviews

VIE 24.10.2014

José Emilio Santamaría (Montevideo, Uruguay, 1929) played for a glorious Real Madrid side. During his time at the club, between 1957 and 1966, the side won five league titles and four European Cups, amongst other trophies. An elegant centre back who used the ball well, something that stood out in his era, the Uruguay-born defender shared dressing room with Alfredo Di Stéfano and Gento, and played for both the country of his birth, and Spain

LFP.es: What Real Madrid do you expect on Saturday?
Santamaría: A side that comes out ready for the game, remembering that there’s a lot of people watching. For the last few games, not only for the goalfests, but also for the way they’ve worked as a side, I think they will all run hard and work at the same rhythm. I think we can have a good game and get a positive result.

LFP.es: Where will the key of the game be for Real Madrid?
Santamaría: In the mentality at keeping a clean sheet. Then, maybe in the quality of the individual players we have to seal the game. Cristiano, Benzema, James or Isco can do so. Now I see the side are more integrated and with the concept of keeping a clean sheet more and more apparent.


"Now I see the side are more integrated and with the concept of keeping a clean sheet more and more apparent"


LFP.es: What memory do you take from these encounters?
Santamaría: There’s many anecdotes, with game for if you lose concentration for a minute, the would score a goal against you. Above all, it was all a rivalry between the two cities of Madrid and Barcelona. We were winners, something they now possess. We have to face a side that have defined an era in the last few years and we must respect that, but Real Madrid is Real Madrid and they always play to win.


LFP.es: In your day, you were a centre back in a very offensive Real Madrid side: Puskas, Di Stéfano and Gento. How was it defending in a side so attack-minded?
Santamaría: Easy. There are men on the pitch who are defenders and others attackers. The first lot need to have the concept that the further away the ball is from the goal, the less danger there is. The second lot need to score goals. We were lucky enough that all our keepers won the Zamora award. Therefore, I maintain the theory that if we keep a clean sheet, we have the players to win any game.

LFP.es: You played with Di Stéfano and have seen a spectacular Cristiano Ronaldo. Which has impressed you more?
Santamaría: Ronaldo is a goalscorer and has goalscoring in his blood. Alfredo worked a lot. I don’t know if he was the best, but he was the most complete, he was everywhere, in attack, in defence… Everything that football is about. He defined an era in which Madrid consistently won. They’re two different players; I’d give them both a 10.


"Di Stéfano was the most complete, although I’d give both him and Cristiano a 10"


LFP.es: There is immense pressure in these types of games. Can the extra motivation be bad for a team?
Santamaría: The pressure creates the atmosphere, the media, and the will to win… It is created given the circumstance of the game. You must win and be relaxed at the same time, without the pre, during and post-game pressure, which comes from the result.

LFP.es: The Catalan outfit go to the Bernabéu undefeated and having not conceded a goal. Where do you think Barcelona have got the defensive solidity that they might have lacked in recent years?
Santamaría: Barcelona are a side that have done some good work lately. Even though they weren’t at the top of their game last season. They defined an era in Spain, as Real Madrid did. Now Atlético Madrid have joined the party, winning Liga BBVA.


"Luis Suárez will be wanting to show that he’s an outstanding goalscoring striker"

LFP.es: Your countryman, Luis Suárez, could make his debut in the Clásico
Santamaría: He gives me the impression that he is a player that has overcome all of his demons. He should we desperate to show he is an outstanding goalscoring striker.

LFP.es: Ronaldo and Messi: could we be talking about the best players ever?
Santamaría: These two are marking an era as sportsmen. They’re both stupendous footballers, with a lot of danger when the ball is at their feet. If you give them an inch they can surprise you and end the game, and they are people who constantly put pressure on.

© LALIGA - 2014