Eric Dier reacts to the loss to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu
Visibly frustrated by the heavy defeat suffered at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid (6-1), the English central defender spoke in the mixed zone after the match.
They were powerless against the Madrid steamroller. Pushed back very early in the match, the AS Monaco players finally succumbed to a heavy defeat against Real Madrid during the 7th day of the Champions League (6-1). It was obviously a disappointment, which Eric Dier sought to analyze in the post-match mixed zone. 🎙️
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Good evening, Eric. What happened this evening?
It’s hard to explain right after the game, but it just wasn’t a good performance from us. We are obviously very disappointed and there is not much else to say. You just have to try to understand what didn’t work, especially since when you lose on this score, it means that a lot of things didn’t work. We now need to deal with this and move forward. I’m obviously very disappointed in myself, but everyone has to reflect on themselves; that’s the most important thing.
We weren’t surprised by the quality of this Real Madrid team; everyone knows them and was aware of their abilities. We had a few chances in the first half, which was quite open. Unfortunately, we left ourselves too exposed after half-time and conceded goals due to stupid mistakes.
Were you surprised by the level of your opponent?
We weren’t surprised by the quality of this Real Madrid team; everyone knows them and was aware of their abilities. We had a few chances in the first half, which was quite open. Unfortunately, we left ourselves too exposed after half-time and conceded goals due to stupid mistakes. Their counterattacks really hurt us.
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How to defend against a player like Kylian Mbappé?
In my opinion, football is not an individual sport; it is always a collective game, and it is often characterized by mistakes. Even if you’re a really good team, you’re bound to make mistakes, and when you’re struggling, you’re even more vulnerable. We must now demonstrate a different attitude, both individually and collectively. But the best news is that we have another match in four days.
No, I don’t think so. It’s never too big a challenge and we have shown in the past that we can perform well against very strong teams. But our performance just wasn’t good enough today. We have to learn from these kinds of matches as a team.
Eric DierOn the lessons to be learned from amtch
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How to explain the team’s performance?
It is sometimes difficult, when we are inside, to find rational explanations for what is happening, especially since we are currently going through a difficult time. When things are going well, it’s easy to make the right choices and show character. But it is precisely in these kinds of situations that we must show this character.
Was the challenge too great tonight against Real Madrid?
No, I don’t think so. It’s never too big a challenge and we have shown in the past that we can perform well against very strong teams. But our performance just wasn’t good enough today. We have to learn from these kinds of matches as a team.
When you lose 6-1, you obviously have to change a lot of things. We have to be better in all aspects of the game. How do we bounce back? The advantage is that we have another match in a few days against Le Havre in the championship to show another side of ourselves. Once again, when everything is going well, it is very easy to have the right attitude, to show personality and character, but it is precisely in these difficult times that it seems the most difficult. But we must meet this challenge.
