Mikel Merino made a surprise selection when asked which Real Madrid player he loves probably the most.
The Spain international is preparing to lock horns with the reigning European champions again on Wednesday night as Arsenal travel to the Spanish capital.
Merino and his teammates might be seeking to protect a commanding 3-0 first leg advantage but are fully aware Carlo Ancelotti’s side have demonstrated remarkable powers of recovery before.
Real’s star-studded side has defied the chances on multiple occasions over the previous few years but Merino admits it’s one in every of their least heralded players who he has the best respect for.
Merino praises Rodrygo’s movement and technical quality
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He told Cope: ‘They’re all top-level players, I like all of them, however the one I like probably the most, and I’ve already said I’d wish to play with him, is Rodrygo.
‘He’s superb technically, he plays thoroughly between the lines, he moves into space well… I actually like watching him play. He’s a profile that any midfielder would love to play with.’
Despite appearing to be in such a desperate situation, Real have talked up the potential of staging one other seismic comeback.
‘It needs to be the mentality of a team,’ said Merino when asked if we was surprised Arsenal’s opponents remain so sure of progressing.
‘If it were the opposite way around, we’d have that mentality. On a football pitch, a thousand things can occur, and that’s why we’ve a lot respect for them. I haven’t spoken to my teammates about that subject.
Will Arsenal sit on their lead against Real Madrid?
‘They know because this stuff have happened in previous years, especially within the Champions League.
‘It’s going to be an exquisite and essential match; as one in every of the veterans, I’ll attempt to contribute my experience, but my teammates are pretty calm.’
Given their sizable lead, Arsenal could possibly be forgiven for adopting a security approach tomorrow night but Merino insists they are going to stay true to the sort of football they’ve been exhibiting in Europe all season long.
He said: ‘The result all the time does something to you, it changes you. What we’ve done all season is stay true to our way of playing, to be dominant, to be brave.
‘In any tie, the psychological aspect is very important, and with Madrid, much more so due to every thing that lies behind it; however the team is prepared.
‘Now we have to adapt to whatever happens and stay focused. Mentally, we work hard daily. The manager puts us in stressful situations and prepares us for any sort of match.’
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