Fabio Coentrao: I was an ugly duckling in Spanish press
ByFootballEspana
Fabio Coentrao has blamed the eventual breakdown of his Real Madrid career on the Spanish Press, claiming he became their “ugly ducking”.
The left-back temporarily ended his four-year association with Los Blancos in August, having joined Monaco on a season-long loan, and he explained how the media’s constant vilification of his performances at the Santiago Bernabeu sapped his confidence.
“[On how his Madrid career panned out], maybe I lacked a little confidence, but let’s not forget that there was a lot of competition,” he told Marca.
“I played a lot but I think I could’ve played more and contributed more to the team.
“I also had bad luck with injuries at certain points of the season, which always interrupted my ability to compete.
“Honestly speaking [on whether the press were unfair to him at Madrid]? Yes, I think I was.
“If I didn’t have the best of games then I was immediately attacked, and if I played well then I wouldn’t receive much credit.
“To this day, I wonder why I was, so to speak, the Press’ ugly duckling, but I still haven’t found an explanation and have become used to it.
“The issue [of Marcelo being Madrid’s only recognised left-back] doesn’t matter and it’s totally impossible to say what would've happened [had I stayed].
“I chose Monaco to play more, and they’re just what I needed. I want to play and win matches here.”
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