A head-on confrontation is about to begin! Reis: Yamal has everything to become one of the greatest players

Victor Reis, the Brazilian center back who joined Girona on loan from Manchester City, accepted an interview with Mundo Deportivo before the team's visit to Barcelona. He talked about his excellent form, the first few months at Manchester City and Girona, and the excitement when facing stars like Yamal or Pedri for the first time.

Q: The game against Valencia relieved a burden for you. How did the locker room feel about that first win?

A: This is very important to the entire team. We need this win. Everyone in the dressing room was really happy and that helped us a lot throughout the season.

Q: This international break comes at the right time, right?

A: We have some players who are absent due to national team matches, but now the team is fully prepared for the next games.

Q: Your arrival has not been smooth sailing. What were your first days in Girona like?

A: I'm very happy to be here. The start was difficult for everyone because we wanted to win but couldn't, but for me it was okay. I knew my chance would eventually come, so I kept working hard.

Q: What surprised you most about the club or the city?

Answer: The city is very pleasant. Everyone on the team is a good teammate and has helped me a lot since I arrived. I can only thank them and keep working hard.

Q: Language is not a problem for you, right? Which teammates do you get along with best?

A: Thank God, this is not a difficulty. I talk to everyone, but the closest ones to me are John Solis from Colombia and Papa from the B team.

Q: Is there any teammate who surprised you?

A: Yes, Blind, I played with him in defense. He is very capable and I learned a lot from him. And Stuani, at his age, he still shows a strong desire to win.

Q: Tell me about your first conversation with Michel (Girona coach). What did he say to you? Was it easy to convince you?

A: Yes, I had a conversation with the coach. Thanks to him I already know a lot about Girona and he told me a lot of good things about it. I already had a concept in my head when I talked to Michelle, and after talking to him, it was confirmed.

Q: He must have given you the best advice

A: He had a very good time in Girona and he only had good things to say about me. I'm happy to be here and I think he's the key to me being here.

Q: Manchester City and Girona have similar playing styles. But La Liga and the Premier League are different. What differences have you noticed since you arrived?

A: Yes, both coaches like to take the initiative and their playing styles are very similar. I think it's also to do with the league, it's a bit different: there's more power in the Premier League, more fighting and contact, whereas here you can have a little more space. But in terms of a coach’s mindset, it’s very similar.

Q: We see that you are becoming more and more comfortable in this three-center-back system that has brought you a lot of rewards.

Answer: I feel good. I played with a back three at Palmeiras and I'm used to it. I'm happy with what we're doing and I want to keep playing good games.

Q: For those who don’t know you, how would you define yourself as a football player?

Answer: I am a focused, cheerful and good communicator. I like to talk and organize from the back.

Q: You performed well at Palmeiras, and then Manchester City knocked on your door. How did you cope with packing up your bags and moving to the other side of the world at the age of 19?

A: Everything happened very fast. I played 22 games for Palmeiras in six months and at the end of the season Manchester City showed up. That's great joy. My family helped me a lot and I was able to cope well.

Q: How does it feel to have Guardiola as your coach?

A: He is great. I learned a lot from him in a short period of time. Some things may seem basic but make a difference on the field. I can only thank him.

Q: Manchester City was atypical last season. What were those six months like?

Answer: It was a little difficult at first because of the city and language, but my Brazilian teammates helped me a lot. I formed friendships with them very quickly, and with my family there, things slowly started to look up.

Q: Which teammate impresses you the most in daily training?

Answer: Everyone (laughing). It's like going from controlling them in a video game to having them right next to you. It's a huge pride, they are all high level players.

Q: You will visit Montjuic on Saturday. And you will be playing against Barcelona for the first time. How does it feel?

Answer: I am very happy to have such a high-level opponent. Barcelona has always been and still is a great club. I think we have to be well prepared to compete against an opponent like this. But if we can play with our style of play and our mentality, it could be a great game and we have a chance to come away with the win.

Q: How to prepare for such a game?

A: When it comes to Barcelona, ​​preparation must always be more intense and better. Must be full of desire. The coach has given us this energy, this will. We have to show our football on Saturday and that's what we're going to try to do.

Q: You will face talented players like Yamal or Pedri. Is there any player you're particularly looking forward to playing against?

A: Yamal, with everything he's doing, is a much improved player and has everything to become one of the greats. But, as you said, Barcelona overall has a lot of very good players. Pedri, Yamal, Kubasi, etc. Facing them will be a challenge.

Q: I don’t know if they told you that Girona beat Barcelona twice in two seasons ago.

A: Yes, I talked to John Solis before, and he told me that Girona beat Barcelona in both games that year. I don’t have many memories of those games but I know it was a very important thing for the club and I’m very happy about it.

Q: A dream yet to be realized?

Answer: I went to the World Cup with my national team and won the Champions League.