Roger: It's easier being a striker for Real Madrid than for Levante Levante Spoke to MARCA

Roger Marti believes it's tougher to play as a striker at a team like Levante compared to somewhere like Real Madrid.

The 29-year-old is the joint top scoring Spaniard in LaLiga Santander this season with 10 goals, and he spoke to MARCA ahead of Levante's clash with Real Madrid on Saturday night.

Do you have to judge a striker on their goals?

Yes. It sounds a bit cliché, but that's the pressure that we have and we have to score. It's true that, nowadays, strikers are judged on other things and the more complete they are, the better. But goals are important.

What importance do you give to your statistics?

I've always liked to score goals. I'm very demanding of myself and the more goals you score in a season, the better. Ten goals is a very good figure for me.

Do you think being the top scoring Spaniard can give you a chance of a Spain call-up?

Personally, it's very far off. Let's hope I can keep scoring lots of goals, which help the team achieve its objectives, and then, if they help [me get] something else, even better.

Do you feel like Luis Enrique considers players from smaller teams more?

Yeah, because nowadays there is a lot more quality in all the teams in LaLiga. Anyone can get a call-up, but personally I'm focused on working for my club.

How are Levante shaping up for Saturday? They've made life difficult for Real Madrid before...

It's an amazing game, one which every player wants to experience. We're definitely going to go for all three points.

Did you expect to have a season like this after rupturing your cruciate ligament twice?

I really did. I've always been very demanding of myself; I know how far I can go and there's still a lot for me to give. I came into this season after a very good season, with 13 goals. This season, I've got 10 and I'm doing very well; I have the boss's confidence. It's so tough to get over rupturing your cruciate twice, but I've recovered very well.

What did you think when you were linked with Barcelona?

In the end, it's amazing. The fact that they got in contact with my agent is great and I think that it's made me grow in confidence even more. It's true that there were talks, but I was always focused on Levante.

What does a match against someone like Real Madrid mean to you?

Maybe it's a match where, if you do things well, it has more repercussions. But it's nothing more than three points, which are very important for us. We're working hard for it. Beating Real Madrid is amazing, but the three points are worth just as much.

What do you think of Real Madrid?

They're doing very well this season. The other day against Celta [Vigo], the three points escaped them and I'm sure that they'll be hurt, but we're at home and we have to go for them from the start.

There are some who are suggesting that Real Madrid could be thinking about the Champions League already. Can they allow themselves to think about this luxury?

If only they could. This is Real Madrid; they're not going to throw a match, despite having the Champions League this week.

Is it easier to be a striker at Real Madrid than at Levante?

I think so - why would I lie to you? But to be a Real Madrid player, first you have to do a lot of things well. When you're at a team like that, you have more chances per game and you can score more goals, but getting there isn't easy.