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Nuri Sahin gave a couple interviews to Marca and Ruhr Nachrichten*, where he talked about his time with Real Madrid.
his year in Madrid: “It was a bit difficult, unlike anything I’d experienced before. It started with a fairly long injury and then I didn’t get back in form or on top of my game. But I won a League with Real Madrid, worked with Mourinho who is a very special manager, and shared a changing room with fantastic players.”
the injury that plagued his time there: “I had high hopes when I joined but I fell injured. I didn’t play well when I did get a chance with the team and while I was out on the sidelines, Madrid were playing really well - and they continued to play well even when I was back available.”
his relationship with Mourinho: “Yes, we have a great relationship. He is an honest person. He was always very honest with me and I appreciate it. He’s very special, both as a manager and as an individual. He’s a real gentleman, someone who always helps you and motivates you. My memories of him are good.”
the decision to leave Real Madrid: ”Mourinho and I spoke in the pre-season, after the first week of training. I told him I wanted to go on loan for a year in order to play more regularly, that this was the best way to get my game back. He told me I didn’t have to leave, that he wanted me to stay and wait for my chance. I told him a year away would be great for regaining my strength and that I would return a stronger player. He understood, accepted my decision and helped me accomplish it.”
now that he’s injury-free: “I feel as though I am improving. I think I made the right decision to leave. I learned a lot there and I was able to train on a daily basis with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Higuaín… and that helped me to improve as a player.”
if Real Madrid are favorites in the Champions League SF tie: “Real Madrid have spent the past 10 years talking about winning the 10th European trophy. During every game at the Bernabéu, you can hear the fans chanting about becoming champions of Europe for the tenth time. It shows how important it is for them and also what this competition means to them. But that puts them under an incredible amount of pressure. We on the other hand, don’t have that pressure.”
* Ruhr Nachrichten sold the interview to AS, which would explain Nuri’s tweet.
