Angel Di María revealed Mourinho’s Real Madrid tactics to stop FC Barcelona: ‘I was afraid they would hurt the dwarf…’
Angel Di Maria is still very active in football despite turning 36 and saying goodbye to the Argentina national team. The current Benfica player gave an interview to journalist Juan Pablo Varsky on his youtube channel Clank Media, in which he reviews everything he has experienced over the years on the pitch. From his Clasicos between Real Madrid and Barcelona to Messi, including his farewell to the national team.
Thirteen and a half years have passed since that final won by Real Madrid at Mestalla. José Mourinho’s men won 0-1 against Pep Guardiola’s Barça at Mestalla on April 20, 2011. The Argentine winger, sent off in the 120th minute of the final for a second yellow after an assist for Cristiano in the 102nd minute , returned to this meeting.
“The only way to beat that Barcelona team was to punch them, catch them and run more than them. And that led to fights on the pitch. Sometimes I was afraid they would hurt the ‘dwarf “I was more worried that nothing would happen to him than anything else,” he explains.
How to stop Messi? Ángel Di María knows this very well 😅 tomorrow, at 6:30 p.m., on Clank! The Fideo Di María.
pic.twitter.com/XDHBNetnCd— Clank.media (@clank_media)
November 17, 2024
“The match at Mestalla was very tough, this final was played shot after shot. At one point I had to kick Leo, who was against us on a counterattack. I took it in my arms and I told him ‘sorry, kid, but if I hadn’t knocked you down, you would have scored’ I had no other choice I had to play that way, it was. impossible to play otherwise,” admitted Di Maria.
“Messi and Cristiano are the two greatest players in the history of football, but it is clear that Lionel Messi is the best and we cannot compare him to anyone, what he did…”, he adds , before discussing his international retirement.
“When I left the selection, I felt that it was the time to give way to young players. At 36 years old… Staying there was putting pressure on them to be starters or to they come into play. It was taking away space from them and I didn’t want that. The World Cup in Qatar was over, the truth is that the time was right. But I didn’t have the impression. to be able to do it because I hadn’t thought about it. After the victory, the desire to continue a little more was there. The Copa América didn’t take long to arrive. to help young people.
On his plans for the years to come, he adds: “I know that the job of a coach is much more difficult, that it takes more time. The player trains and goes home. The coach must continue to watching videos. If I retire, I would like to enjoy my family, spend more time with them. I have not set a date for my retirement.
What were the key moments or memories you both associate with the El Clasico matches during your careers?
1. Introduction of guests:
Welcome to our special edition of World Today News, where we discuss the latest news and happenings in the world of football. Today, we have two esteemed guests with us who have had a significant impact on the game. Firstly, we have Angel Di Maria, who is a professional footballer currently playing for Benfica but has also played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid and Manchester United. Our second guest is Juan Pablo Varsky, a renowned football journalist who hosts a popular youtube channel called Clank Media.
2. Angel Di Maria’s experiences at Real Madrid and Barcelona:
Can you tell us about your experiences at Real Madrid and specifically about how the tactics were implemented to stop Barcelona during your time there? How did you feel as a player having to undertake this approach?
3. Angel Di Maria’s view on Lionel Messi:
You had the opportunity to play against and with Lionel Messi during your career. How would you describe his skill set? Do you think he is the best player in the history of football and why?
4. Angel Di Maria’s International retirement:
Can you talk about your recent retirement from the Argentine national team? Why did you make this decision and what would you say to young players who aspire to represent their country at the international level?
5. Future plans:
Juan Pablo, as a football journalist, what do you think about Angel Di Maria’s career and his future plans? Do you think he has what it takes to become a successful coach in the future? Additionally, Angel, what are your plans for the future after retirement?
6. Clasico Rivalry:
Both of you have had the opportunity to witness the famous El Clasico matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona. What makes these games so special and how has the rivalry evolved over the years? Do you think it’s healthy for the game?
