In the hotel pre-match
“I’ll watch a film and speak with my family. Sometimes we do some games with the players in the team. I’ll have a massage and do my stretches, just getting ready, thinking about what the manager said, what we have to do, how we have to move in the game, how we defend, attack, the spaces – everything.”
Pre-match meal
“Normally there’s a few options from the doctor and dietitians. We can eat pasta depending on the time. If it’s early, maybe we’ll eat some eggs, fruit and cereal. If it’s the middle of the day, it’s pasta and chicken. Then after, it’s important to drink a lot of water, ready for the game.”
The coach journey in
“I sit on my own. Before I was speaking with [Conor] Coady, Max [Kilman] and John [Ruddy]. It’s OK because normally I speak with my family on the bus and after I put some music on, a prayer song because I’m Muslim.”
🇪🇸🏀 pic.twitter.com/CliqjpT0fn
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 5, 2022
Pre-match emotions
“My mentality is to win the game, whatever the cost is. If I’m ready physically, for me it’s just getting the mood of the game time.”
Meeting the opposition
“Before the game, I won’t speak to them, I don’t want to speak with them. When we get on the pitch, I maybe say hello, but it’s short because I have to compete against them. Afterwards we chat, but not before.”
In the dressing room
“Normally I sit with Joao [Moutinho] and Leander [Dendoncker]. We speak about the game, about the spaces, how we can take advantage of them, talk about the players, the way they play.”
Pre-match music
“I like to listen to most music, but not electronic or house music, but otherwise it’s a mix of everything. Maybe Spanish or South American music, hip-hop, R&B, salsa – everything.”
Raul and Adama hitting the net 🏀 pic.twitter.com/TwrgUrfXqB
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 5, 2022
Rituals before the game
“I just pray before I get on the pitch because I believe in God and spiritual things. When I’m going onto the pitch, if you see me before a game, I pray with my hands out.”
The teams are in
“I’ll look to see who is playing. Normally the important thing is how they play, the formation. I’ll look at the left- or right-back, if they play with four or five.”
In the tunnel
“I’m just anxious for the game to start. I’m excited at that point.”
