Coaches confident ahead of Sunday's 'Clasico.'
Xinhua, March 22, 2015 Adjust font size:
FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique doesn't want to hear of overconfidence in his side as they prepare to face Real Madrid in the Camp Nou stadium on Sunday night.
Sunday's 'Clasico' between Barca and Real Madrid could well decide the destiny of this season's league title in Spain and a win would see Barca open up a four-point lead over their traditional rivals, who have suffered for form of late, but Luis Enrique stressed that Real Madrid are always tough to beat.
"They are our eternal rivals and the side that ae closest to us in the table," he said, adding that he didn't see his side as favorites.
"All coaches tend to think there is never a clear favorite. Both sides have the same objectives and you can't doubt the quality of the players. The fact we are at home is a factor as it could give us an extra point of motivation," added the Barca coach.
Luis Enrique confirmed that that although Sergio Busquets was not 100 percent fit, "he will be available and that is important," he commented, who wanted to see his side continue the form they have shown so far in 2015.
"That is what we have to do. Create more chances than our rivals, dominate in the penalty area and hope the players are at their best. We have to control our emotions and let the fans we have behind us, cheer us on," he concluded.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said the game was a "key moment of the season," and that his side had, "prepared it in a special way."
"We will have to be at our best in defense, in attack and have the personality to impose our play," he said.
Ancelotti said his players would have to keep "cool heads" and be "patient". "We haven't played well recently, but our confidence is the same," added the Real Madrid coach.
Finally he showed his confidence in Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. "Maybe Ronaldo hasn't been at his best, but he saved us in the Champions League," he said, before ruling out his side would play for a draw.
"I've never done that in my life and I won't do it now. We have the quality to win," concluded Ancelotti. Endi