Raúl García, almost thirty derbies in his boots: “The Cup final at the Bernabéu was the beginning of an era that still lasts”

The career of a footballer is a swing of emotions and that of Raul Garcia (Zizur Mayor, 1986) has had everything. Not only because of his period in the elite, 20 seasons in the first team and third player with the most games in LaLiga (602) after Zubizarreta y Joaquin (622), but because of the player’s temperament. “I’m not trying to be a mirror for anyone, but those figures are because I have been very meticulous,” he explains to EL MUNDO in a meeting with international journalists organized by LaLiga.

One of those good moments was May 17, 2013. It wasn’t the Centenariazo, but almost. He wore the Atlético de Madrid 14 years without beating Real Madrid when they did it away in a historic Copa del Rey final with goals from Diego Costa and that headbutt Miranda to the first post to silence the white parish. “Since Cholo arrived, they won again and that rivalry grew to compete again for the same thing. One of the most special moments was that Copa del Rey at the Bernabéu, it was very special and the beginning of an era that still lasts” , recalls Raúl García.

The bad guy, fortunately for Raul Garciahe only had to experience it once because it would repeat itself a couple of years later. It was that Champions League final in Lisbon in 2014 that they won until the legendary 93rd minute. “The mental and emotional issue in these games is very important. If you are in a situation where you come with a negative or positive streak, everything can change in the first moment of the game with anything that happens,” García assessed and the answer brought to mind that extra time in which the Atlético he seemed to surrender to the white push.

A characteristic, by the way, that could not be further removed not only from Raul Garciabut also of the captain of the ship, Diego Simeoneof which the Navarrese keeps fond memories. “The word calm or tranquility does not exist, he is very passionate and lives his work 200%. He is intelligent because there is no need to motivate the player in matches of this level and he knows how to reach the player in these circumstances,” he commented.

This is how it will be Simeone in the moments prior to a derby in which, in the opinion of Garcíawill be able to get his players “an extra point” to be able to face the duel against a Real Madrid that arrives with a great squad although without the presence of Mbappé, injured in his thigh. “I have always wanted to play against great teams that have had great players. It is a motivation to face them, not only Cristiano in my time but they have eight or nine other world stars. It is an extra to be able to beat them because it is not easy and “When you achieve it, you get great satisfaction.”

Players vs team

Raul Garcia He trusts in the ability of the group against individualities and believes that Madrid is missing, and it is normal that it happens due to the quality of the player, Toni Kroos. Although he is aware that his offensive potential up front, especially with the three Brazilians due to the absence of Mbappé, is the most worrying thing about the whites on Sunday.

On the red and white side, they trust that it will be Soonhis friend, the one who imposed his game in the Metropolitan helped by the creativity of Griezmannthe claw of Gallagher“who has fallen on his feet”, and the goal of Julian Alvarez. “It is difficult for me not to see a team in which Julián does not fit. He has incredible conditions, he is hungry and he has arrived at the right place to get everything he has. It is going to be demanded of him, but he looks little by little more comfortable and He will end up being the one we know and will give a lot to Atlético,” he says.