Ernesto Valverde Quotes

In England and Germany, perhaps, there is more of a focus on the physical side of the game, in breaking down the opposition's play, especially against the lower placed sides.

There are a lot of teams that don't want to play, that only want to defend against Barcelona, and that makes it difficult. We're always looking for the open space. A lot of times we'll face six defenders and four midfielders.

It's not so easy for us when we play teams who have a different mindset, like Chelsea or Inter Milan, because they have the intention of trying to stop us rather than playing a game that is more attractive for the spectators to enjoy.

The Bears treat offense as if it's bubonic plague.

Power is the main difference; it's more powerful in England. Referees are less strict than in France, teams like to play low and in counter-attack, and defenders in general are stronger than in France.

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

The Bernabeu faithful doesn't want a similar style to Barca. They want a more direct style of football.

Football in England is much more direct that in Spain - not just in terms of tactics or style but in the overall approach.

From what I saw in Spain and Germany most of the teams drop back and then they have all of the time to build up and have the movements. In the Premier League it is more physical and about set plays. It is more difficult.

Maybe Klopp is the best manager in the world at creating teams who attack the back four with so many players, from almost anywhere on the pitch. They have an intensity with the ball and without the ball, and it is not easy to do that.

Part of my job leading the line for Watford is to occupy centre-halves - by that I mean those battles with Huth, say, to try to win headers when the ball is played forward. But I also look to bring centre-halves out of position to the flanks and make space for my team-mates in the middle.

With a line of six in the defence and then three in front of that, it's not always easy to find the spaces to score the goals.

United are capable of setting up a low block and making it difficult, but they're also capable of coming out and pressing high.

I think Martin Keown was the toughest. I liked playing against him in training because I knew it was just like a game situation.

I've become accustomed to playing against four defenders throughout my career, but in Italy, I have to play against five.

There is no Benitez 'method.' We try to be more solid in defense without losing the quality in attack.

United's history was built on attacking football, which does not always mean that the team kept clean sheets or did not concede chances.

In Italy, it is all about tactics and playing for a result, whereas in Spain, the focus is on technique and pace. In England, the game is based on aggression and non-stop action.

Just understand that I'm trying to get to the quarterback by any means necessary. And if I have to throw somebody out of the way to do it, it is what it is.

When you play at home in European football, you've got to come up with a happy balance where you get on the front foot and try to win it without leaving yourself vulnerable.

Tactically, Italians are very strong. They are a lot into tactics: how to defend, when you lose the ball, where will you be?

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.

In football you need to look to make life difficult for the opponent.

The formula to beat the press is simple; it's the execution that's tough. If you have the quality to do so, you pass your way through it. And if you don't, you just boot it over the top. And then it becomes a game of winning 'second balls'.

Real Madrid, they are the best counter-attacking team in the world.