Real Madrid and Club America of Mexico went head-to-head in San Francisco on early Wednesday, with an exciting match that ended in a stalemade. The two sides happen to be the most recent teams in Santi Solari's CV. The free-speaking Argentine sat down with MARCA ahead of the match to discuss his past at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and also his future opportunities. He already knows both teams and clubs very well and correctly predicted an entertaining match.
He said: “…entertaining because, belonging to different continents, it is unusual for them to face each other. It is the biggest team in the history of football against the most popular in all of Central and North America. The stadium will be full, for sure, because of the Latino support for America in the United States. Personally, it will be a lot of fun because I know almost all of them.
But however, the interview shifted towards his attachment to Real Madrid, with the ex-Los Blancos coach expressing his appreciation for Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid and all Madridistas.
If Carlo Ancelotti called you, what analysis would you give him?
With Ancelotti I would just listen. I don't know him very well, I've met him a few times, probably when I was [coaching] in the youth team and he was in the first team. I have a lot of personal affection for him and he is a man of great wisdom. I would like to listen to him.
Seeing Barcelona's thrashing of Inter Miami, could a result like that happen for Madrid?
No, no. There is no such difference. Football is very competitive and very professional, with a lot of investment involved, everywhere. In Europe they go to the Club World Cup taking the title for granted, but then it's not like that and the equality shows. America are in the middle of the season and Real Madrid have just started.
Your time on the first team bench is remembered for your courage to bench the big names, for example Marcelo and Isco. How do you assess the fact that they still don't have a team?
The coach's objective should not be to try to be right, but to work and do the best possible for an institution at that moment. Real Madrid always do it that way. We have 14 Champions League titles, and we are always on our way to the next one.
The other side of the coin is Vinicius. You always trusted him, at Castilla, didn't you?
There is a sense of pride over a player in which you think that if you had a 0.5 or 1 percent of credit. But the great credit, as with [Fede] Valverde, [Sergio] Reguilon, [Marcos] Llorente..., is the club's, its recruitment departments, the facilities it gives to the players. The other great credit goes to the players. If there is a little piece of me in what Vinicius has achieved, in the way he knocks on the door and wins the hearts of the people, it's wonderful, very nice.
What is his potential?
That depends on him. He transmits great joy. That self-confidence, that desire to win and to go forward are many of the things that Madrid fans are passionate about. And he's also a fighter, he's not just talent. He has learned from all his coaches, for example in the defensive phase, and it shows. He works very hard, taking the ball and tackling, something that requires great strength, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually.
Have you had any offers recently?
Football has surprises in store for you all the time. I have worked hard and enjoyed it a lot and hopefully I can continue like this.
Would you like to return to a European dugout?
Yes, but I'm open to everything because I really like football.
And to Real Madrid?
I never left Real Madrid! I'm always in Real Madrid.
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