"We are going into the match thinking about it being a quarter-final over two legs. We have to play well. I was happy with how we did against them in La Liga. We have to play like that again, or better if possible. Our aim is to take the advantage in this match. I know that the tie will be decided at the Bernabéu and that we have to play well both matches. Espanyol are a good team and are very well organised. They are a physically strong team and there will be a high intensity in the match. They will do everything to try to win and getting a good result in the first leg would make their job easier".

"They played each other and we made up two points then. Then, neither of them won yesterday because we are playing in a very competitive league and all matches are difficult to win. You can’t always win. It happened with us against Osasuna. A lot of the credit for having cut the gap goes to the team because they have kept fighting in the competition. We improved after the match with Barcelona".

About his preference for the 4-3-3 formation, he said: "The system gives us more balance because the defensive job done by the three midfielders is very good and we will keep using this system. It is true that it makes it more difficult for Isco, but I think he can play in Di María’s or Modric’s positions. I have not completely forgotten about old system and we may use it from time to time". About whether the number of matches throughout January has forced him to change training patterns, he said: "We are very focused on the recovery of the players. Those that have not played the match do the same as before and the others do more in the pool, and eat and sleep well".

Regarding free-kicks and Bale’s high success rate, he said: "Clearly he has better chances from the free-kicks on the left, then we have Cristiano Ronaldo for the ones from the right. That’s what we’ve decided. Cristiano Ronaldo is stronger from the right and Bale from the left". When asked about recent reports that Neymar cost around 100 million euros, the Italian was blunt: "I'm not an accountant, I’m a football coach".

Finally, about Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness and the possibility of resting him for any match, he was clear: "When I think he looks tired, I’ll rest him. Right now, he isn’t tired and has no problems playing. Rotation is needed when a player is tired. We communicate well with all of the players and some of them make it clear when they are tired".

the xcx wrote:Despite Benzema scoring that cheap header he was poor tonight as usual. Should have passed it to CR7 to make it 2-0. Selfish play by him.

the xcx wrote:Despite Benzema scoring that cheap header he was poor tonight as usual. Should have passed it to CR7 to make it 2-0. Selfish play by him.

the xcx wrote:Despite Benzema scoring that cheap header he was poor tonight as usual. Should have passed it to CR7 to make it 2-0. Selfish play by him.

the xcx wrote:I dont recall that shot from the tight angle early on being an selfish play because Benzema was clearly marked tightly and he was the only one in the box on that momentum so CR7 taking a shot for the goal was justified as he did not want to kill of the chance. If you cant pass then shoot instead.

Benzema is not renowned as a finisher so therefore I judged him being selfish.

Real Madrid have not conceded a single goal in 6 consecutive games only for the 2nd time in their 112 years of history (and 1st since 1995)

the xcx wrote:Rumor has it that Marcelo and Modric has some kind of a conflict with each other. You could see that in yesterday.

halamadrid2 wrote:

Some of the decision makings were poor by our players and for once it wasn't by dimaria

halamadrid2 wrote:

the xcx wrote:Rumor has it that Marcelo and Modric has some kind of a conflict with each other. You could see that in yesterday.

you mean Modric' stray pass that Marcelo gestured he wanted infront of him

normal talk between players. Move on nothing to see here. Marcelo does not fight or have a conflict with anyone. he is too happy to do that lol

Le Samourai wrote:

halamadrid2 wrote:

the xcx wrote:Rumor has it that Marcelo and Modric has some kind of a conflict with each other. You could see that in yesterday.

you mean Modric' stray pass that Marcelo gestured he wanted infront of him

normal talk between players. Move on nothing to see here. Marcelo does not fight or have a conflict with anyone. he is too happy to do that lol

I thought that was poor conduct from Marcelo. He should be doing that 3 minutes into a game or because of a misplaced pass. If that was Xabi making that pass you better believe he walks away quietly.