"The only chance we have of being champions of La Liga is by winning all three matches”, said Real Madrid's coach.
The La Liga title is at stake in the three matches remaining for Real Madrid. The first of them is an away game with Valladolid and Carlo Ancelotti stated before the match: “It's a final. It's a decisive match for both teams. That's the attitude we have to have. The only chance we have of being La Liga champions is by winning all three matches. That's our goal. Atlético has the advantage, if they get four points, they win the league. Our goal is to win all three matches and see what happens”.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is fine. He's a little tired and only played part of the training session. He's available tomorrow and he'll play. Carvajal is not available as he has a niggle, neither is Bale, who picked up a knock in the match. The others are all available. Modric too, who didn't train yesterday. He trained well today and can play”.
The team's form
“I think it's good. We have players with extraordinary experience in title fights here. I see a team with a lot of character. But it can happen. After a semi-final you have a mental lull, but not a physical one. Physically I think the team was better than Valencia. But there was a lack of mental energy that we have recovered in recent days”.
Benzema's form
“I'm not worried because he scored a very important goal in the first leg of the semi-finals, and while he didn't score in the second leg he put in a great performance. I can't complain at all about the strikers this season. We've scored more than 150 goals. Everyone's work up front, including Cristiano's, who's scored 50 goals, is fantastic. Ronaldo scored a lot of goals because everyone else's work has been so good”.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is fine. He's a little tired and only played part of the training session. He's available tomorrow and he'll play. Carvajal is not available as he has a niggle, neither is Bale, who picked up a knock in the match. The others are all available. Modric too, who didn't train yesterday. He trained well today and can play”.
The team's form
“I think it's good. We have players with extraordinary experience in title fights here. I see a team with a lot of character. But it can happen. After a semi-final you have a mental lull, but not a physical one. Physically I think the team was better than Valencia. But there was a lack of mental energy that we have recovered in recent days”.
Benzema's form
“I'm not worried because he scored a very important goal in the first leg of the semi-finals, and while he didn't score in the second leg he put in a great performance. I can't complain at all about the strikers this season. We've scored more than 150 goals. Everyone's work up front, including Cristiano's, who's scored 50 goals, is fantastic. Ronaldo scored a lot of goals because everyone else's work has been so good”.
PLAYING AGAINST A TEAM THAT IS FIGHTING FOR SAFETY WILL NOT BE EASY.
“Because of his game, Illarramendi is a player who can replace Alonso. He has the same type of game. He didn't play well against Valencia but that does not change anything in our preparations for the final. Khedira is getting better. He's available tomorrow and can play part of the match. If he doesn't play much tomorrow, on Thursday we'll have a quick game for him and Arbeloa”.
Chance of Barcelona beating Atlético
“I'm sure they'll go there to win. At the moment both teams are going to try and win. I've seen some surprising results this week. Levante, who have nothing to play for, played really well against Atlético. Also Valencia, who were not playing for anything, had a really good game against us. This is good for the consistency of the league. All the teams are in the fight right until the end and we are too”.
“I think everyone is professional. I think that Barcelona will play against Atlético and give their all. In all league competitions the final matches are played at the same time and I think the same will happen here”.
Possible meeting between Luis Enrique and Barcelona
“I don't think that will have any effect on things. These three points are in our hands and we have to win them. Tomorrow is an essential game because we know that if we don't win this match we lose the league. We are very focused and it will be different to the game against Valencia, where the energy was not as good. We've recovered and tomorrow we're going to give our all to win the game, because it's essential for winning the league, as is Saturday's game”.
“I don't see anything in particular. I think Barcelona could be on the lookout for a coach for next year. I don't know what Barcelona's plan for the future is. It could be that they have discussed their future and I don't think they've spoken about the game against Real Madrid”.
Win bonuses
“I don't understand it. I don't think the players need money to be professionals. It's not as bad as paying for losing a match, but because of the professionalism of the players, they don't need a bonus to be more professional. The player has to be professional for his own image, for that of the club and for that of football”.
Chance of Barcelona beating Atlético
“I'm sure they'll go there to win. At the moment both teams are going to try and win. I've seen some surprising results this week. Levante, who have nothing to play for, played really well against Atlético. Also Valencia, who were not playing for anything, had a really good game against us. This is good for the consistency of the league. All the teams are in the fight right until the end and we are too”.
“I think everyone is professional. I think that Barcelona will play against Atlético and give their all. In all league competitions the final matches are played at the same time and I think the same will happen here”.
Possible meeting between Luis Enrique and Barcelona
“I don't think that will have any effect on things. These three points are in our hands and we have to win them. Tomorrow is an essential game because we know that if we don't win this match we lose the league. We are very focused and it will be different to the game against Valencia, where the energy was not as good. We've recovered and tomorrow we're going to give our all to win the game, because it's essential for winning the league, as is Saturday's game”.
“I don't see anything in particular. I think Barcelona could be on the lookout for a coach for next year. I don't know what Barcelona's plan for the future is. It could be that they have discussed their future and I don't think they've spoken about the game against Real Madrid”.
Win bonuses
“I don't understand it. I don't think the players need money to be professionals. It's not as bad as paying for losing a match, but because of the professionalism of the players, they don't need a bonus to be more professional. The player has to be professional for his own image, for that of the club and for that of football”.
