Manchester City player and summer signing Javi Garcia has said that very few academy players make it at Real Madrid, and that the tough competition for places and high expectations at the club are beyond anything he has seen elsewhere.
The former Madrid man joined the reigning English champions from Portuguese outfit Benfica in the summer to strengthen http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roberto-c31294 Mancini’s team as they looked to defend their English crown.
The 25-year old had himself risen through the ranks at Real Madrid’s youth system, but found it hard to break into the first team. He eventually left the Spanish giants in the summer of 2009 for Benfica, before he signed for City this season.
City have faced Real Madrid this season in the Champions League, but had tasted defeat as the Spanish champions came back from behind to win the game 3-2 at the Bernabeu. Having taken the lead, the English champions were unable to hold on and ultimately
lost the game.
The team has not had a convincing and successful campaign in Europe so far, and have failed to manage a single victory in the group stages of the competition. They have lost 2 and drawn 2 of their last 4 games, and only have a frail mathematical chance at
going through.
The Citizens tasted defeat at the hands of Ajax and Real Madrid, and drew their other two games. The champions will host Real Madrid tonight at the City of Manchester Stadium, and will be hoping to sign out in style by managing a victory against the Los
Blancos.
Speaking to reporters, Garcia talked about his experience with the club and said:
“It’s hard to get into Madrid and harder to still stay there. It’s hard to play for the first team. Only the best make it. People now say that the players who left Madrid could have been playing for them, because they ended up with the national team. Maybe,
but equally they might have stayed in the club and never progressed as they did.”
“The best players in the world are there and you have to be tough to cope with the demands of wearing that shirt.”
Tags: