Sergio Ramos Quotes

I don't want Kylian to play like Neymar and keep the ball. Kylian is incredibly dangerous in the final move, and I want him to stay that way.

When Messi has the ball centrally, with time, he has so many options to hurt you.

Defending isn't just about tackling and heading, it's also about getting the ball down and playing - starting the attack from the back.

I can be the only defensive midfielder and try and break up play. Or I can play a little more forward.

The teams that defend well are as important as those that attack well. If you don't concede goals it is much easier to win but it is all about having balance.

I would prefer to play for and against an attacking team, but I am now used to playing against defensive teams.

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.

When I've watched teams that play with five at the back and wing-backs, I've looked at their starting positions and positions out of possession because that comes a little bit more unnaturally to me.

If a team concedes a goal, then the first question is always of the goalkeeper.

My perfect formation would be 4-3-3 with one holding and then the two going forward. I would be one of the ones going forward.

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.

When you play against a Spanish team, especially Madrid, it is quite an open game.

Attacking is the tough part in football; defending is relatively easy.

I like entertaining football but, at the same time, you can't concede goals. That's a tricky balance to find.

The biggest pass for a defender is a pass forward.

I like to play attacking football, but I think the big difference is that we expect a lot more from our strikers, to do more pressing and to keep compact. We like to play a high line defensively and press the ball.

Italy do not only defend; they can attack, too. They have attacking qualities, and they create chances.

Pastore has so many qualities. Every pass he makes puts our forwards into position and we create a lot of opportunities thanks to him.

You have got to be one step ahead, as a striker, to create that space you need. Apart from the ball, when you're a striker, it is space that's your best friend. You need space.

In the Premier League you need creative players to open games up.

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

Playing an ultra-defensive side is very difficult.

Most teams - whether they like it or not against Manchester City - you're going to find yourself quite often penned in your own half.

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.

Salzburg improved me as a player, and I learnt so much there. I got a really tactical education.