Carvajal: "When i hear the champions league anthem i get goose bumps"

“I am delighted with the amount of trust the manager has given me from day one”, the right back revealed with an interview with UEFA.

Dani Carvajal gave an interview to UEFA in which he spoke about his return to Real Madrid, his first impressions of playing in the Champions League and his experiences of being in a youth academy of such high quality as that of the Whites. “It was like a dream. On top of that, it ended be a match we scored six in. I'll never forget it”, the Real Madrid defender said of his Champions League debut against Galatasaray.

How would you rate your return season to the club so far?

I have always been ambitious and have wanted to train and play more, but I am very happy with things at the moment. Especially because of the amount of trust the manager has placed in me from day one. The rotation with Arbeloa has been really good for both of us and the team, because we are both fresher. Now, with Álvaro injured, it looks as though I'll play more minutes, I hope to earn my place in the team, enjoy it and help the team achieve its goals.

What do you remember  about your first champions league match against Galatasaray?

It was like a dream, to think you are competing in the Champions League. When you're side-to-side with your team mates, listening to the Champions League anthem, it gives you goose bumps. On top of that, it was a great game, we scored six and I'll never forget it.

Over the course of your career, who have you linked up the best?

Because of the amount of years I've spent playing with them, perhaps it would be Morata and Jesé. I also link up well with Arbeloa, we can understand each other with just a look.

Is there any football player who you would have liked to play with?

As a Real Madrid fan I'd say Michel Salgado. I really liked his playing style, he was full of intensity. I always watched him and loved [the way he played].

What was it like growing up in real madrid youth set up?

It is like a dream made reality. In Spain, and even more so in Madrid, every boy wants to play for Real. Being part of this club's youth academy is a big deal and making your debut in this jersey is a thing of great pride and emotion. Growing up in this club is a beautiful thing.

How helpful it is that a lot of real madrid players have comed up through academy, for example raul and casillas?

It is a mirror for us and now Casillas is the captain. For us, breaking into the first team is not the be all and end all. Players like Arbeloa and myself had to leave the club before coming back. Others like Jesé and Morata broke straight into the first team.

How do you think you improve as a player in Germany?

I improved a lot defensively, because there was almost no transitional play in the Bundesliga and I had to close things down a lot. As well as that, we were a team that always had to take the initiative in every game and as a wide player I had to cover a lot of ground. That helped me develop physically in order to remain fresh in the final few minutes of matches.

Do you have any advice for the players at the final four in Nyon?

It looks like an incredible opportunity for these young players, being able to travel around Europe and compete in an international tournament. It is very important for them, it will allow them to enjoy and experience what it is like to travel and adapt to other countries.

They’ve got there after a good Group Stage and playing good games against Napoli and PSG. I think they have a good team and can do something special. Ramis is a great coach, I could also enjoy him, and he knows how to run a side. They’ll get to the final and fight for the cup.

What do you think has been the most important in your development as a footballer?

It’s the training. It’s a marathon that starts at a young age and sacrifice is the base of it. You have to arrive home with the sensation of having given your all at training or in the game and having done the best you can. Also I think genetics help.