Aurélien Tchouaméni, the French midfielder for Real Madrid, is all too aware of the hostile reception he often receives from the home crowd.
Despite the jeers, he remains focused on his performance, determined to turn criticism into applause by delivering strong performances, particularly as he prepares for a crucial Champions League encounter against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Tchouaméni is poised to play an instrumental role under the guidance of coach Carlo Ancelotti, as Real Madrid seeks to retain their 2-1 advantage from the first leg at home in the round of 16.
“Our entire team is prepared, and we are going to give our all to win the match,” the 25-year-old midfielder expressed. “Atletico will likely adopt an attacking approach, but we have our strategy. Our aim is to emerge victorious.”
With Real Madrid battling injuries among their usual starters, Tchouaméni has found himself adapting to various roles, including that of a defender. His occasional mistakes in key matches, such as a significant 5-2 loss to Barcelona in January’s Spanish Super Cup final, have drawn the ire of fans.
“Yes, I notice the boos during matches,” he admitted on Tuesday. “But every match has its own story, and it doesn’t affect me.”
Playing out of his natural position has its challenges, as Tchouaméni acknowledged, requiring adjustments to his game plan. “The experience of playing as a midfielder compared to a defender is vastly different. In defense, possession is limited, demanding adaptability,” he added.
With Raúl Asencio and Antonio Rüdiger slated to start as central defenders, Tchouaméni is expected to revert to his usual midfield role when Atletico, known for their attacking flair, hosts the match. His mission will be to provide a robust first line of defense, aiming to shield Thibaut Courtois’ goal from Atletico’s onslaught.
Real Madrid holds a prestigious record in the Champions League as reigning champions and a 15-time European titleholder. Their encounters with Atletico have been favorable, triumphing in finals held in 2014 and 2016 and eliminating them in other knockout stage meetings — namely, the 2015 quarterfinals and 2017 semifinals.
