Real Madrid travel to the Camp Nou for the Clasico on Sunday and Ancelotti says he will not go into the game settling for a draw.
Real Madrid face one of the sternest tasks of the season as they travel to Barcelona to try and get themselves back to the top of the table with a victory. Winning at the Camp Nou will give Real Madrid a huge boost in getting their La Liga campaign back on track.
Real Madrid havena t been in great form while Barcelona have put up a sublime display in recent matches. However, the away sidea s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, remains confident that his side can win the game.
a I have never gone into a game settling for a draw in my career. Tomorrow will be no different. We have the quality to win it, but so do they. Neither team will be settling for a draw,a Ancelotti told a press conference.
a The team is looking good physically. Having Modric and Ramos will help us a lot. The team has improved its physical condition. But tomorrow fitness wona t win the game. It will be won in the head,a
Though Ancelotti admitted that Real Madrida s form in recent games has been a concern, he insists that he has total confidence in the team.
“The keys are for us to play our best possible game in defence and attack, to play with personality and character and impose our game… I have total confidence. In the last period we havena t played well, but my confidence is total,a he added.
He spoke about the attacking duo a Ronaldo and Bale a who have been at the receiving end of some scrutiny in the recent weeks. While Ancelotti said that Ronaldo is in peak shape ahead of the clash, he also insisted that Bale will not be asked to do anything special or different than others.
a Ronaldo is in good shape. He trained very well this week. He is at his peak. But all of the players are. There will be no attitude or concentration lacking tomorrow,a Ancelotti continued.
a I dona t think there will be any one player with more responsibility than the others. We all have the same. What I will ask Bale is what I will ask the other a we will defend as an XI and attack as an XI. The strategy is not too complicated.a
Playing at home, Barcelona have a slight edge over Real Madrid. The Catalans have been on a good run of form with Messi playing some exceptional football as he showed mid-week against Manchester City. However, Ancelotti says that Barcelona are the favourites to win the game.
a I havena t gone crazy this week. We have prepared the match well, the strategy of the game. We will try to do what we will need to win it. Messi is in good shape, like everyone at Barcelona. They are playing well, with quality, and Messi above all,a he said.
a Being favourites or not doesna t depend on runs of form. They are on a better run than us. But it is a difficult game for both teams. We have a lot of confidence. Ita s a great opportunity for us. They have been leaders for two weeks and if we win, we can go back to the top.a