Benitez optimistic ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez sounded the battle cry as his side prepared to entertain traditional rivals FC Barcelona in the first "clasico" of the season, which will be played in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday evening.

   Much of the pre-game talk has been about security surrounding the event in the wake of last Fridays Paris massacre and speaking to the press on Friday, Benitez said he "was worried about what is happening on a worldwide scale," adding, "we need to show solidarity towards the victims," of that tragedy.

   He then discussed what will be his first game against Barcelona as first team coach, and said he was confident of taking all three points.

   "We are in our ground with our fans behind us. I think that Real Madrid are favorites It will be difficult, but it will be positive for the fans," he assured.

   "The team will go into the game in good shape and looking forward to playing," added the Real Madrid coach, who apart from highlighting the importance of central defender, Sergio Ramos, gave few clues as to his starting 11. 

   He also brushed away suggestions that he would take a cautious approach to the game, saying "Real Madrid has to attack, score goals and always look to attack out rivals' goal."

   However, he brushed off suggestions that the players had asked him to be more attacking against Barcelona. "That information is false," he said, insisting he had "been working with teams for 25-30 years and I will always do so in the same way."

   "The most attacking side in a game is the one which has the most shots and scores the most goals and if you look at Real Madrid's numbers, we are like that," he said, saying that no matter who played for Barcelona on Saturday, his side would not change their game plan.

   "Real Madrid have a way of playing and that is to win scoring more goals that our rivals and we do that independently of the team we are up against," he commented.  Endi