Nemanja Matic Quotes

Casemiro has to cover the gaps left by everyone. That's balance for me; to make sure the game doesn't go mad.

I like playing just outside of my own penalty box, the player who receives the ball and organises the game.

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

When I play in central midfield, that's my favourite position.

I know when I step into midfield I have to sharpen my feet up and be more aware of what's around me, at centre back it's more about timing, positioning and communication.

I always try to manage the ball in a way that can help the way my teammates receive it.

He might not be very tall, but he's very useful. Kante wins balls, has great transition play, can be found everywhere, and always has solutions.

I prefer to play in midfield, whether that is attacking midfield or defensive midfield.

I've always liked the No.10 position. You can get on the ball a lot more and attempt to dictate the play a lot more.

Busquets is a sitting midfield player who breaks up play, intercepts, passes it very quickly and is intelligent. That's what he is. He's not much more than that, but he gets a lot of praise for it. Whereas Eric Dier does a similar job, but sometimes gets loads of criticism for it.

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

I like it when I am in the middle; I am closer to the ball. The manager wants me to pass, to make assists, create chances, and I do more because I think the position is more central, and I don't ask all the time for the ball at my feet.

The manager might like it sometimes when I play up front because I can cause trouble for the defenders, but for me, my best position is defensive midfield, stopping the opposition, and then looking to impose myself on a game.

In my country, they used to call players who play in my position a defensive midfielder, but it is not defensive.

Defensive midfielder is my position and I have to be focused on that role.

The most important thing is to be a midfielder first, not scoring goals. You have to make the game, make an assist for the team, and if you can score, it's a plus for the team.

I'm not really a defensive midfielder.

The only thing I would like is to have more control of the game in terms of possession.

I am a midfielder who is mainly involved in the defensive phases, even if I also like to help build moves - I would say that my foremost quality is my generosity.

You don't cut anywhere, don't pick down anywhere, don't double screen, no weak side picking. All these things that should happen in a game of basketball don't happen anymore.

When I go into games as a forward, my job is really clear, and I just have to execute. But as a midfielder, you get to sort of enjoy the game more, and you get to feel the game and dictate the play.

Busquets reads everything. Players like Busquets or Xabi Alonso in midfield have the capacity to read the whole game.

On a tactical level the defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation is just about the most demanding position there is.

Sometimes in midfield, it's nice because you do get a little bit more of the ball, and maybe out wide you rely on people to get you the ball.

As a holding midfield player, you want movement and to play between the lines.