It’s Time For El Derbi Madrileño

Don’t look behind you, Karim! Cris is coming up fast.

The team had their last training before meeting Atleti. Ugh, I hate playing them. I’d say it’s better now that Costa and Villa are gone (and Cholo can’t square up to any of our players), but face it, playing Atleti is never going to be a walk in the park.

The boys seem relaxed though. Check out Cristiano jumping on Gareth’s back for a ride at about :50 of this video.

Carlo had his pre-match presser and reminded us that a party will not be easy.

FROM REALMADRID.COM

Ancelotti: “The side won’t change style nor philosophy”
by Alberto Navarro | Photographer: Angel Martinez

“Our fans will be key because we will play an intense game and in playing at home we have this as an advantage”, he said.

Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media in the pressroom at the Ciudad Real Madrid. The Italian analysed the upcoming league derby against Atlético de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu: “The side won’t change style nor philosophy. We want to play a good game and get back to playing well, with intensity, like we normally do. Each side has their style given the quality of their players and the best for us is to play to our best on the pitch. Our fans will be key because we will play an intense game and in playing at home we have this as an advantage”.

“I’m not going to reveal the XI because I’ve got a couple of doubts. We have to forget what happened at the Anoeta. It was a good lesson. We played well for 30 minutes, but to beat Atlético we have to play 90 good minutes and not make the same individual and collective errors as we did at the Anoeta. We have a good base to work from in those spectacular 30 minutes. We have all analysed the game and we are going to try and change it for tomorrow”.

Looking for balance
“We aren’t going to put players in strange positions. We will look for equilibrium with style and philosophy, which has given us a lot of good results. We are confident that we will find it shortly. The final part of last season we defended with a 4-4-2. We will try to do the same now and we won’t change system. Balance means to have a side that is capable of doing both phases of play well: the defensive side and the attacking side”.

“Real Madrid are the best club in the world and I’m lucky to be here.”

“Atlético aren’t a violent side. They have their own style of play that is intense. This is football and it’s not a game for little girls; it is for men. Their style has given them a lot of rewards. Two different styles face off tomorrow and we will see who is right”.

Atlético as the side of the city
“Football is in the city. There’s not merely one side in the city. All sides have fans all over the world. It doesn’t matter which side is more popular in the capital, what matters is who is the best at the end of the season. That’s what they did last year in the league and us in Europe”.

Cristiano Ronaldo is back
“He’s firing on all cyclinders. He’s trained very well this week and is in optimum condition. There are no issues. He plays when he is right and not tired, without risk of an injury. He has had a couple of small issues, but his performances over the past year have been good because he scored a lot of goals”.

“There’s no chronic injury problem. Last year he had a knee tendon problem, but he is over it now, and in this season he has had a muscle issue, but is not chronically injured. He has to do prevention work, like all players, but in this he is the number one”.

Complete confidence in Casillas
“I’ve never lost confidence. We have congratulated him today for his anniversary with Real Madrid and we wish him the best for the future. He always has our confidence”.

Chicharito’s arrival
“We’re very happy because he’s not only a great player, but also a very positive person, with a lot of desire to do well. He’s very happy to be here and I think this will help us a lot. He won’t start, but he will be useful”.

“He’s a different player to Karim. Benzema has a great function in the team and helps the midfielders. Chicarito plays further forward and is very good at getting in behind the rival’s defensive line”.

The development of James
“There won’t be much difference from what he did last year. He’s come to a new side and needs time to get used to things. I’m happy with what he has done thus far. It’s normal to have a difficult start, like all the team, but I’m sure he will improve and contribute positively to the side”.

I got one bone to pick with the Mister: “This is football and it’s not a game for little girls; it is for men” Excuse me?! Football is indeed a game for little girls. And big girls. And little boys and anyone else who wants to play. Shame on you, Carletto, think before you speak. Sheesh.

Anyhow, the following players were called up for the match:

Goalkeepers: Casillas, Keylor Navas and Pacheco.
Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrão, Marcelo, Arbeloa and Nacho.
Midfielders: Bale, Kroos, James Rodríguez, Modric, Isco and Illarra.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Chicharito.

Gareth, Karim, Dani & Toni were pressed into service today as The Peez announced RM’s new deal with National Bank of Abu Dhabi who are now our official sponsors in United Arab Emirates.

Karim, there’s no crime in going up one size in your shirts. Trust me.

The team also celebrated Iker’s 15th anniversary as a Real Madrid player. He made his debut on September 12 1999 in the old San Mamés against Athletic Bilbao. Congrats capi!