Juande press conference

La Liga will be back this weekend and Juande Ramos has only had two days to prepare for Saturday’s clash with Espanyol after the match against Liverpool.

How does the team feel about the defeat against Liverpool?
I think it’s normal for everyone to be disappointed after something like that, but I think my men are already thinking about the match with Espanyol. We want to capitalise on our positive streak in La Liga.

Every game is crucial, put this weekend could also mark a turning point.
Every game is important. We can’t afford to drop points if we want to catch up with Barcelona. We have to take three points in every game. We’ve had a short recovery period, but I want excitement to overcome exhaustion.

A victory will leave the team just four points behind Barcelona. Will that add pressure to them?
We can’t afford to think about Barcelona. It doesn’t matter who plays first this weekend. We only care about winning the game.

What worries you the most about Espanyol?
Espanyol are good enough to be higher up on the table. Their previous result probably boosted their morale and we expect them to play tough. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t think about our opponent and just focus on taking more points.

Does it bother you to hear people say your system was too defensive against Liverpool?
Real Madrid did its best to win, but Liverpool was a solid opponent. We didn’t find room to score, but we’ll try again in the return leg.

Is something wrong with Faubert?
He’s been injured for ten days, that’s why he hasn’t trained as usual.

A week ago you said Real Madrid played better without Robben.
That’s subject to interpretation. Robben is a magnificent and unbalancing player, but he is more individualistic. We play more collectively without him, but we can work well both ways. Last week I simply meant to say we don’t depend on him. From a collective point of view, we played better without him.

You coached Espanyol in the past. Will tomorrow’s match be extra special for you?
I will be proud to return to that stadium. I have good friends there and I will be delighted to see them again.

Do you think Espanyol have changed much since you coached them?
Every team changes a lot in time.

Van der Vaart complained about his situation on the team in an interview to a German newspaper.
I listen to what players say, not to what is printed in the press.

Sneijder seems to have been relegated. What’s wrong with him?
I seem to recall he’s been a starter in many of the games I’ve coached. I chose Guti instead of him because I wanted to find room between the lines. You would’ve asked me about Guti if I had played Sneijder.

You say Espanyol must be confident, but they seem weary about their performance against Real Madrid.
Espanyol need to avoid relegation and they have to snatch points any way they can. Something very important is a stake for them.

Has it surprised you that just one match has been enough for people to question your position at the Club?
This is normal in football. I have a sixth-month contract and I don’t want to know anything about it until the season is over. Results give way to speculation.