Dean Huizen once again performed brilliantly in Real Madrid’s 3-2 derby win over Atletico Madrid.
On a night when Real Madrid’s defense needed composure, structure and reliability, Huizen stepped up. His performance – marked by near-perfect distribution and a host of crucial clearances – reflected a player’s growth in the importance of his role and expectations at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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After the game, Huizen talked about the importance of the result:
“Yes, we all know how important this game is, especially for the league. Of course, the derby makes it even more special. We are happy that we won and hope to keep it going.”
Huijsen highlighted the collective effort behind the victory:
“We played well as a team, we were very close and if we win, it would be even better.”
That cohesion hasn’t always been there this season. Madrid have undergone significant changes – a new coach, new signings and a changing role – while Huizen himself has experienced a dip in form early in the season. But he spoke of that period maturely:
“My slump earlier in the season? It will pass eventually. All footballers have slumps and I think injuries don’t help either. But, I think all the Madrid fans and everyone knows the level of my ability and I think I’m at that level now. That’s it, that’s what I work for every day, keep going like this.”
It’s clear to us that Huizen is not only back to his best, but also embracing the pressure that comes with wearing this jersey.
“I think the request at the Bernabeu is good in a way. Because it shows what the Madrid fans expect from me, they trust me and they know I can give more.”
One of the game’s most controversial moments, Fede Valverde’s red card, also prompted a response from Huizen.
“Yeah, the truth is I was a little skeptical because I didn’t believe, well, for me it was a yellow card (not a red card for Feder). He stopped a move and that was it. He didn’t even hit the ball with his studs, he didn’t hit it too hard, he stopped the move and that was it.”
Madrid played intelligently in the second half – something Huyson attributes partly to the manager’s half-time intervention:
“The manager demands a lot from us, he knows we can give more and he asked us a little more at half-time and I thought we performed well.”
Huijsen also talked about the team’s evolution this season:
“I think what you said is true, we are a new team, we have signed several new players, myself included, and we have also changed coaches. I think it is normal to adapt and, of course, they are demanding a lot from us, which is fair because we are the best club and the best team in the world and I think we are reaching this level now and developing this chemistry.
“Real Madrid is back? Well, I think it never really left, that’s what I’m saying. We’ve had a lot of changes and we have to adapt. We work on it every day.
“We will give it our all and of course we want to win everything and hopefully it will be a special season.”
Finally, Huizen also elaborated on his developing partnership with Antonio Rudiger – a key factor in Madrid’s recent defensive stability:
“I think Rudiger is a very good guy, he helps me a lot, we help each other and I think we play well together and, of course, the games are always good. We have a good balance, we have that chemistry, it’s hard to explain, but when you have it, you have it.”
