In the midst of the storm that is shaking Real Madrid, when the team seems to be looking for air amid doubts, criticism and a lack of confidence, Aurelien Tchouameni decided to step up. At the most delicate moment since Xabi Alonso took over, the French midfielder raised his voice to protect his coach and, incidentally, point out the path that, in his opinion, the dressing room should follow.

"It's not the coach's fault, we have to improve," he said firmly. A clear, direct message with obvious recipients: the players themselves. Tchouameni thus returns the responsibility to the group just before Pep Guardiola's Manchester City arrive at the Bernabeu, an examination that does not allow for dithering. His words are no coincidence. The Frenchman, who has shone again since the arrival of the Spanish coach, feels part of the project and understands that it is time to close ranks. While the environment is agitated and some in the dressing room still have doubts, he opts for absolute commitment and a public defense that seeks to unite the team in the most demanding stretch of the season.

Manchester City

"Playing in the Champions League is always a pleasure and especially at home against City. It's a great opponent and we want to win that game because it's going to be important for us. We are looking forward to playing this game at home."

Intensity

"I don't know about attitude, but if we don't win games it's because we have to do things better. We have to play better in defence and attack and do things better. We hope that we are going to improve because what is happening now is not possible."

Relationship between the squad and the coach

"We are all together. If we want to win games we have to fight in the same direction. We are on the pitch and we have to do things better. Tomorrow we have a good opportunity to change the dynamic and get more points in the Champions League."

Pressure after loss and high line

"The thing is we have to improve in this aspect of the game. When we start we want to press, the thing is that sometimes we do it well and other times very badly. We have to improve to help recover more balls."

Coach's plan

"Really, for example, the game in Vigo... the coach has a good game plan but in the end we are the players who play on the pitch. If we lose 0-2 it is our problem: intensity, fouls... It is not the coach's fault, we have to improve and we will do it."

Lack of intensity?

"The game in Vigo, of course... and other games too. If we don't play with maximum intensity it will be very difficult to win games. We have to give our best and we have to do that against City."

Haaland

"We are going to talk today about the game plan with the coach. We have a lot of injuries in defence but we have a lot of players who can play in that position at a high level. We have to defend together and be committed. If we play at our level we can win this game."

More about City

"It's a great team, with the ball they are very good. We are going to have to be very compact and be quick to create chances. It's going to be a good game to watch and we are sure we are going to enjoy it."