“Benzema does not reach the condition of Messi”

From Madrid, Angel Cappa He reviews Real’s feat against City – “there is no explanation” – and although he recognizes the worth of the French striker, he does not believe he is up to the idol of Rosario. He says that he sees Peru “very well” facing the playoffs, a country he knows so well, from the time of Universitario 2002 and more recently, to San Martín where Christian Cueva and Pedro Gallese appeared.

—After Real Madrid’s triumph over City, “Marca” headlined: “May God come down and explain this.” Can only God explain what happened?

Hahaha… I don’t think God can explain that because he’s busy with more important things. What happened has no explanation. Madrid has a faith that is not founded on anything. In the epic, in the heroic, he is invincible. At the moment he reacted, he was danced by the City! They had missed two goals inside the goal! There are things that happen and have no explanation…

—Madrid went through extreme situations in three games in this Champions…

But with PSG it was something else. They took refuge in the second half, stopped handling the ball, got close to his goal, and made things easier for him. Madrid has had many comebacks, but before they did it with Michel, Gordillo, Butragueño, Hugo Sánchez, they did it with football. Now he does it with faith. When the comeback with City occurs, three of their most important players -Modric, Casemiro and Kroos- were not on the pitch. They ran as in the paddock and won the game. Having faith is also a virtue.

—Is there a favorite to win the final? It seemed to be Liverpool, but after this…

It also infects the rival. The rival says: ‘these guys throw a cross at you and score two goals’. Liverpool plays much better than Madrid, it is a seasoned team, with players with a lot of experience; however, now we are talking about being careful with Madrid. Can we argue that from football? No. Why do we mention it, then? Because Madrid has already done it before.

—Did the stage fright that Valdano speaks of affect PSG and City?

No. We are talking about something that happened in the 180th minute. For at least 170 minutes, City played better than Madrid. There was no stage fright. What happened were uncontrollable things. In football you can do everything right and lose. And you can do everything worse than the rival, and win.

—Why can’t Pep win the Champions League again?

I don’t know anyone who has won everything. And I know very few coaches who have won everything Guardiola won. You can’t win everything everywhere you go. He is human to ever lose. The important thing is that he doesn’t lose his style, his teams play soccer well.

—We live in a time when it is played wonderfully, but don’t you think that sometimes the pass is abused?

No. Sometimes the pass is misused. The player sometimes accommodates the ease of passing to the side or back. Don’t risk. The pass is the most important thing in football, but you have to know how to use it.

—To Benzema, where do you put him? Is it the great relief of Messi and Cristiano?

Noooo… Benzema is a very good player, top level, but he doesn’t reach Messi’s condition. Cristiano Ronaldo? He is a definer, you cannot compare him with Messi. Note: I am not saying this pejoratively. He is an extraordinary finisher, he must be one of the best in history. But he is another characteristic, another player. Benzema is a top-level player, possibly one of the best in the world, but I can’t compare him with Ronaldo, or with Ronaldo the Brazilian, or with Van Basten, or with Romario, or with Messi. He doesn’t get there.

—Ancelotti, in addition to being a coach, have you had to be a great manager of egos?

I do not know. I was in locker rooms with great players, but if you approach the person, who is a neighborhood boy, who plays soccer well, he is already there. If one approaches the idol that appears in the newspapers, he is lost. Ancelotti has that naturalness. Like Zidane or Del Bosque, they don’t relate to idols, but to soccer players. And they handle very well. That is why they are loved by the squad, they are respected.

—Before we finish, let’s talk a little about Peru. Is he a favorite for the playoff?

I do not know the United Arab Emirates or this Australia that is new, but I see it very well. He was growing in the qualifying rounds, he had delicate moments, but he grew in confidence and security.

—What Peruvian player fills your eyes?

I am going to say one that I had and I have a particular appreciation for: Christian Cueva. Also to Gallese whom I directed. And well, Tapia, Advíncula… but instead of highlighting a player, we have to highlight the performance. Peru plays according to what Peruvian soccer is. You can’t take just any path, and Peru belongs to the path of good football.