re: CHAMPIONS ( La10ª ya está ) - The Real Madrid Club de Fútbol 2013-14 Thread

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Carlo Ancelotti faced reporters before Friday’s training session and spoke about tomorrow’s Madrid derby clash with Atlético.

Marcelo and Bale: “I think Bale will be available to play, I will decide nearer the time whether he will start or come on later. Marcelo won’t be fit in time to play”.

Favourites to win: “It’s difficult to say. We played badly against Elche but this is another game, it will be different. We’ll be giving our best to win a very important game against a side who are doing well and have won all of their games. Atlético have improved and grown in confidence since the Copa del Rey final but we can play well and win”.

Elche: “I’m not surprised that people still want to talk about that game. We know what areas of our game let us down and we will correct that and play with a different attitude tomorrow”.

Atlético unity: “They are a compact side, they play well as a unit but we have different qualities. Atlético are more aggressive but Madrid have more quality”.

Concerns: “We’re not worried. Changes require time. I am sure that we will improve certain details to our game”.

Battle of wits between the two coaches: “Matches are always about the players. The team will play well if it is clear about its strategy and that’s what we’ll be trying to do. It’s not about who’s sat on the bench, it’s about the players out on the pitch”.

The team’s level of form: “We are working to improve our game”. Referee worries: “No. I think this will be a difficult match because both teams want to win. The pressure will be high but I don’t think we’ll have any problems with the ref”.

Line-up: “That will depend on a few things. Coentrao played well against Elche but he has only recently returned after a serious injury. I’ll make my decision tomorrow”.

Formation: “We’ve played the seven games with a 4-4-2. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't, but we haven’t changed to 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1”.

Agressive Atleti: "It’s one of their characteristics to be aggressive as a weapon. They’re good at the back and well organised. We need to find a way through using speed. Playing slowly will make it tough".

Squad: "They are up for this, utterly focused on the derby".

Simeone: "His Atleti are like he was as a player. Tactically perfect and with a lot of character".

Diego Costa: "He’s dangerous, along with Villa, and the whole team needs to defend well, not just the central defenders".

Midfielders: “Speaking as an ex-midfielder, physical strength isn’t important. You need to think ahead, before you receive the ball”.

Referees: "Just like the players, they make mistakes on the pitch. Nothing more than that. I won’t talk about the penalty or about Barcelona – Sevilla. Coaches make mistakes too".

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