Konate says Real Madrid experience has exceeded expectations ahead of Leipzig game

Ibrahima Konate says the French contingent at Real Madrid has played a major role in helping him settle at the club before Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Leipzig.

Real Madrid face Leipzig at Santiago Bernabeu in their third match of the competition, having won their opening two games against Roma and Inter.

“Tomorrow’s match is very special for me,” Konate said at his pre-match news conference. “I am happy to see my former team-mates again and we have a great desire to win and remain among the top eight in the standings.

“We know it will be very complicated, but we have a good opportunity.”

Konate said his early experience at Real Madrid had been “amazing”, adding that everyone at the club had helped him adapt.

“My experience here at Real Madrid has been incredible,” he said. “Everyone helps me a lot. Every person who works here supports me and makes me feel good.

“The most important thing for me is to win trophies, and I hope I can do that this season.”

The defender was also asked about a shirt worn in support of Ceuta.

“To be honest, I did not understand what was written on the shirt,” he said. “I found out after the match and I can understand the point of view.

“I come from France and I think many people go through the same situation. At that particular moment, I did not know what it referred to and I did not know what to do.

“I have to focus only on football because that is what I came here for. I do not think it was as important as it was made out to be.”

Konate said life at Real Madrid had been bigger than he expected, with the club’s activities attracting worldwide attention.

“Real Madrid is more than I expected,” he said. “Everything becomes much bigger and people talk about us all over the world.

“I am very happy. I have always dreamed of playing for this club, but honestly, I do not follow social media and sometimes I do not see what people say about us.”

With the Clasico approaching, Konate insisted Real Madrid’s immediate priority was Leipzig.

“It is important to focus on the next match,” he said. “If we win tomorrow, we will go into the Clasico in a better position. If we do not, we will not arrive at that game in good shape.

“But the first thing we have to do is concentrate on tomorrow’s match. After it, we will think about the Clasico.”

Konate also praised his fellow French players Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Kylian Mbappe for supporting him since his arrival.

“I have been very lucky to share this stage with Tchouameni, Camavinga and Mbappe,” he said. “They helped me a lot when I arrived at the club and I am happy to be with them because they are wonderful people.”