Las Palmas’ honorary President German Devora rates a potential win at Real Madrid as ‘extraordinary’ and says the team would have to play beyond their best.
Devora, who spent 16 years as a player with the island club in the 1960s and 70s, never won at Santiago Bernabeu even during what he describes as the team’s ‘golden age’.
“It’s hard to understand that never in our golden age of 1967, 68 and 69 did we win there despite playing great games,” he told an interview with AS.
“I don’t know what happened because they almost always beat us. I don’t think it was stage fright. Against other big teams, like Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao we set the tone, but everything was different against Madrid. At least we beat them regularly at home.”
German turned his attention to the current Las Palmas team, who go to the capital in the bottom three and on the back of a goalless draw with Villarreal.
“In football everything changes from one week to the other. We know it will be difficult but we must never think the game is already lost,” he insisted.
“Las Palmas lack consistency, but have already played very good matches against big teams and are able to draw. Against Celta Vigo we were able to score three goals with a man less, something I don’t recall seeing before.
“Madrid have a great team, or rather, an extraordinary squad. Despite having five or six injuries, the ones who have replaced them do as well as the theoretical starters.
“They concede few goals and are wonderful on the counter-attack. I see a much more balanced team than before.
“You never know. Las Palmas have to play to 150% and to do everything perfectly, but you can’t switch off because in the blink of an eye you’ll be a goal down.
“My advice? Play football, have fun, fulfil the orders of the Coach. To win at the Bernabeu would be extraordinary.”
German concluded with a comment on recently-appointed trainer Quique Setien, who replaced Paco Herrera earlier in October.
“Although it’s Setien’s second game, it will be almost the same game as against Villarreal and Rafa Benitez will have everything perfectly studied,” he noted.
“All I hope is that the team is well and are at a very high level, because otherwise…”
