Carlo Ancelotti took to the media room at Real Madrid City on the eve of El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu (4:15pm CET) and previewed the encounter in the following terms: “We're preparing for it in just the same way as we do every other game. In this case, there's the added factor of just what a special game it is for everyone and for the fans. You've also got to bear in mind the quality that both teams, who are both excellent sides, possess. El Clásico games, just like derby matches, are special and you've got the added pressure, the emotional aspect and the desire to perform and everything else that surrounds a game like this one.”
“We're up against a side that perform to an extremely high standard and if we're to win it, we’ll have to attack and defend well. You've got to look at the characteristics of both teams. It's true that they usually start games very well and are strong in the first half, while we produce our best in the second half. I'm not sure whether that’ll have an influence on the game, but it's something we’re taking into account.”
Courtois: “He's doing pretty well, but has trained very little. He's ruled out of tomorrow's game. He will get more training sessions under his belt next week. We’ll have to see how he's doing for Wednesday or next Saturday. The only thing he needs now is to get out on the training pitch.”
Rüdiger: “He's fine, he just has to wear a mask to avoid the wound from opening up, but he's in no pain and is doing fine and really looking forward to the game. He's a warrior. “What he brings to the team is his strength in duels and his ability in the air in both boxes. It was no surprise to me that he scored at the end of the game because, just like Militão, he has quality in the air. He also offers us his mentality and personality. He's a winner who never stops, even in training. He's a very pessimistic defender.”
Rodrygo” “I think that he's an extraordinary and very decisive player. This season, in which I've been giving him more game time, he's shown that he's capable of performing very well. He's capable of playing in positions across the front line and that works in his favour."
El Clásico starting line-up: “I don't want to go experimenting. I tried something new out last season and it backfired on me. I'll put a team out that knows exactly what they need to do on the pitch. We're up against a side that play to an extremely high standard and we’ll have to put in a strong all-round performance, attack well, defend well. That's the only way that you'll end up winning games and trophies.”
Motivation levels: “I haven't shown the players any video. They know the opposition inside out. Last year's match will not affect things because this is in a different competition, it's a different season and a different El Clásico. We're excited about playing a game that is watched by people all over the world, giving a good account of ourselves and trying to win it for our fans. It's not a winner-takes-all game. It's a special match, but it's a long old season and this match comes early on.”
Barcelona’s current form: “They've won all their league games apart from the first one, which they drew. They're in very good form. They've had some issues in the Champions League, where it's normal for teams to suffer, but they have been in outstanding form in the league.”
He continued: “It's impossible for me to say how their game last Wednesday will have affected them. We just have to go out and play our game and try to win. They’ve got the players to have a great season. Our playing style is different to Inter’s, but they showed a lot of courage in that game. They didn't give up after conceding and were very efficient. However, that will not help me in any way and this will be a very different game.”
Militão: “I see him as being in very good form this season. He’s producing some really consistent performances. He's got good individual qualities and the physical strength of a top-class centre-back.”
Benzema: “I can see that he is in much better shape this week. He has really come on. I'm certain we’ll see the sort of performance we always do from Karim tomorrow.”
Barcelona’s playing style: “Barça’s history is plain for all to see, they’ve got a playing style that their supporters and the club like. I've got respect for that. It’s a footballing philosophy that has brought them success and they continue to enjoy success. Other clubs have their own playing style. I believe that having a single playing style is not the best idea because the players sometimes change. The most important thing is that a team has players who are comfortable with the playing style that’s adopted.
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