Adebayo Akinfenwa Quotes

We know it's impossible sometimes to have good defending against Cristiano Ronaldo but we want to keep the ball, with good possession, as then he can do nothing in attack.

You put a lot of pressure on your defenders to be able to hold the fort when you go forward.

When I don't have control of the ball, what do I do? I press to get it back. It's a way of defending. But more important is that I like to have the ball. That's why I believe in individual coaching sessions to prepare players properly.

I want the ball for 90 minutes. When I don't have the ball, I go high pressing because I want the ball.

Sometimes you can get sloppy and control the ball right at your feet, and that gives the defenders a chance.

Think about the deflections. The offense can't score every play. They're just trying to get a good shot. If I can deflect a pass, even if it doesn't cause a turnover, it will throw their timing off half-a-second. That half-a-second might mess up their shot.

That's something you want to preach throughout the whole defense - getting the ball back to the offense.

In Spain, you get seven clear chances a game to receive the ball and shoot. In Italy, you get very few clear balls, and you have to fight everyone to score; that makes you improve and develop.

What Liverpool do really well is they try to get you inside but then close you down.

To be useful in defence, to win back the ball, you don't always have to go sliding into the tackle. It's also about your positioning; sometimes all you have to do is take a step back.

Because I'm fairly big, I like to use my body. So I'll control the ball, even when there's a player on me, and then I'll pass.

Smaller players in the Premier League are very good at using their bodies and that's what I will continue to do.

Keeping up your concentration is one of the hardest tasks when you're a centre-back because a team like Bayern tend to dominate and can give you sense of false security.

Centre-backs usually get criticised for clearing the ball long, but it's easier doing this than risking a pass. If you lose the ball at the back, it's almost a goal. Most centre-backs don't risk this kind of game, depending on the holding midfielder in front.

Centre-backs with good technique can move the ball forward, even when under pressure.

I try to get early contact and keep it on the ground. I like to keep the ball down as much as I can.

Considering Messi's quality and everything he represents, I don't think I've seen him playing with a guy following him around the pitch the entire time with the sole purpose of not letting him play.

At the end of the day, I'm a good defensive football coach.

I prefer defensive midfielder because I know my job when I play there. More things are in front of you.

It is vital to maintain possession and to win it back as soon as possible, because if we win it high up, then the opposition has to run 70 metres.

With all the talk of the 3-point line, it's still most important to build your defense inside to out.

Guys in the league have grown-man strength. They're not going to move off when you bump them. They know your moves and are going to cut them off. You have to be strong and have counters. You have to slow down.

Shaq is such a load. He's so big and strong, but it's possible to play well against him.

I don't think smaller guys usually bother me on my shot too much.

It's difficult when you play the best teams in the world. You have to be strong as a team and defend and get clean sheets.