Robben to ABC
Arjen Robben said in an interview to ABC that he has immense desire to play his first derby as a player of Real Madrid and rojiblancos which is a team with great players. The Madridista recognized this as a great moment for the whites.
I very much want to play my first derby. I’d hardly been here three months in the first one that took place after my signing and I was injured in the following two. It will be special
The coach never said the team played better without me. I spoke to him about it and he told me he didn’t mean that. I focus on one-on-ones or on dribbling past two defenders, which entails some risk. I don’t pass the ball as much as players like Gago or Guti. I’m a different kind of player.”
The team has performed as usual without me. I don’t think my absence changed the way in which the team defended or attacked. We won in any case and that’s what counts.
I didnt’ watch the Atletico-Barcelona game because I was with my family. I’ve been told it was a magnificent match with many goals. Atletico are good team and we have much respect for them. It will be a special clash for all of us. We are confident and hope to win.”
Atletico have many good players, but their four forwards -Maxi, Simao, Aguero and Forlan- are probably their most dangerous men.
Atletico will want to play a good game. Every team in Spain tries to do well in attack. It’s different in Engalnd; sides there, such as Liverpool, focus more on defending and staying in their half of the pitch.
I can play down either wing, but it’s important that defenders don’t know where I’m going to come from. I’ve been playing down the right wing a lot in the last few months and I feel comfortable there.
We didn’t mind when we were 12 points behind Barcelona and don’t mind now. We have to focus on ourselves. We are playing well and we are also confident. We are a quality team that is winning its games. We just have to wait for Barcelona to make mistakes.
I feel honoured to play with Raul. He is a great captain and a great professional. He is far from finished.
I guess I’m having my best run since I arrived here. What’s important to me is to be fit. I’ve been playing non-stop since December and that’s great. I am able to showcase my skills better when I don’t get injured so often.
Cannavaro to AS
Fabio Cannavaro gave an interview to AS in which he talked about tonight’s derby with Atletico. The defender also praised Aguero and Forlan.
There’s no euphoria on the team because we know we haven’t achieved anything yet. Barcelona still have a four-point lead. We have to keep working, stay quiet and prepare for each game at a time. People forget about things too easily in football. Excuses and doubt take over when things don’t work out.
Pepe will miss the derby. That Portuguese guy has some nerve(laughs)! He wants to rest for the Liverpool match! He is an impressive defender and he is playing very well, but this team has many players capable of being starters. He will be a great loss on an individual level, but I always think about the team and I believe even you could play for us if we perform well!
Kun Aguero is very good at one-on-ones, but he still needs a little extra to be a superstar. I don’t really want to say this out loud because I’m sure he’ll score two goals if I do, but I think he sometimes misses too many chances for a striker. He is young and he still has to learn. He will be a superstar. He reminds me of Romario in his style, but Romario scored more goals.
I think Forlan is great. He runs a lot, shoots with both feet, puts pressure on defenders, he is intelligent and very fast… It’s hard to defend against both of them (laughs). I will defend against the one who attacks down the left, but I prefer to defend against counterattacks because I prefer to anticipate a team’s play.
Raul to AS
Raul believes they can still progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Despite needing to win the return game in Merseyside, Raul knows Real will have chances against Rafa Benitez’s side and has urged his team-mates to believe they can still progress. Raul wants boss Juande Ramos to be given a long-term contract after working wonders at the club.
We know that we will have chances and that we must not stop believing. That is how Madrid have to play and we cannot wait for the game. This team can win at Anfield.
He (Juande) has done a great deal. The team improved a lot after losing in Barcelona and we are still going from game-to-game.
In January we worked very hard and we played like every game was a final. His work is there for all to see and he has been very good and could be in charge of Madrid for a long time.
Just another Madridista
Junta speak