After more than 40 days away from the soccer fields, Dani Ceballos returned to action. The setting was Mendizorroza, in a hard-fought match for Real Madrid against Alavés. The player from Utrera only played a few minutes, but he made it clear that he's ready for the Champions League and the comeback.
Although his participation was brief, Ceballos captured attention at the end of the match. He was one of the first to speak after the league victory, and his words didn't go unnoticed.
Aware of the difficulty of the European challenge, he held nothing back. His speech was a declaration of intent, both for his teammates and the fans.
Bernabéu, Key Piece of the Plan
Ceballos didn't hesitate to point out the essential role that Santiago Bernabéu will play next Wednesday. Arsenal arrives with an advantage, and making a comeback won't be easy. That's why the midfielder asked for one thing: for the fans to become the team's driving force.
"We need a devoted fanbase that believes as we believe," he stated emphatically.
The message was clear: only with an imposing atmosphere, with a stadium fully engaged from the first minute, will they have real chances of turning the score around. Because at Bernabéu, magical nights aren't planned... they are felt.
The Plan for the Comeback
Beyond the support of the public, Ceballos also hinted at a very specific tactical detail. For him, the first 15 or 20 minutes of the match will be key.
It's not just about playing well, but about coming out with intensity, with hunger, with soul. The idea is clear: to mark territory from the start, to intimidate, and if possible, to strike first. "The first 15-20 minutes will be very important," he warned.
This will mean high, aggressive pressure, and imposing a frenetic pace. Ceballos knows that Arsenal is a team that, if they feel comfortable, can do a lot of damage. That's why Madrid must suffocate from the beginning, with and without the ball.
A Leading Role?
It's still early to know if Dani Ceballos will start in that decisive clash, as he is coming back from injury and Ancelotti is managing the timing. But what is certain is that his attitude and his words position him as one of the moral leaders of the locker room. His profile fits the type of match expected: vertical, physically and mentally demanding.
Even if he only plays a few minutes, his presence seems valuable. Because there are matches where having fresh legs isn't enough. Heart, mind, and conviction are also needed.