Real Madrid and Barcelona press conference (27/11/2010)

Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday (November 27) said Real Madrid are ready to face arch rivals Barcelona in the Nou Camp on Monday (Nov 29) for the first of the Spanish season's "Clasico" games.

Unbeaten in all competitions, Real lead La Liga having won 10 and drawn two but Barca remain just a point behind.

Monday's game will match up not only two of the game's most influential coaches in Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, but also two of the world's two best players in Ronaldo and Barcelona's Argentinian Lionel Messi.

Former World Player of the Year Ronaldo has put together an incredible run of goals for Real since the start of October, scoring 17 in 12 matches.

"It will be a fantastic game," he predicted.

"We are in a good moment, we are in good shape, we are strong, we are confident. We play away against a fantastic team, we know it is going to be a difficult game but it is not a problem for us.

Asked if the game would be a showcase for him and Messi, the Portuguese winger said: "It is not a duel between me and Messi. It is a duel between Barcelona and Real Madrid. A duel of big Spanish teams, probably the best two. I'll try to do the best for Real Madrid and Messi the best to help Barcelona. I hope it will be a good football show."

Ronaldo refused to be drawn on the controversy surrounding the red cards shown to two Real players during the latter stages of the Champions League victory over Ajax in midweek.

Mourinho and four Real Madrid players have been charged by UEFA with improper conduct amid allegations that the two Madrid players, defender Sergio Ramos and midfielder Xabi Alonso, deliberately got sent off. 'keepers Iker Casillas and Jerzy Dudek are also being investigated.

Spain internationals Ramos and Alonso were dismissed after picking up second yellow cards for time-wasting.

The sendings-off meant they would serve automatic one-match suspensions in the final group game against Auxerre, which is a dead match for Real with the Spanish club already assured of first place in Group G and qualification for the last 16.

Both players had accumulated two yellow cards in the group stage before they were sent off and a further yellow card in a subsequent game would have meant a one-match suspension during the knockout stage.

"Looked to be sent off? Who has looked to be sent off? Who? Mourinho? Me? I don't remember," said Ronaldo, adding: "I don't weant to talk."

Unbeaten in all competitions, Real lead La Liga having won 10 and drawn two but Barca remain just a point behind.

In the Catalan capital, Barca captain Carles Pujol was predicting an entertaining game.

"People always talk about the game of the century. But it is true that both teams are going through a very good moment, with confidence, not many injuries. I think we'll see a very good match," he said.

"I don't know how they will be playing, but I do know how we are. Our style won't change and we have to be prepared for whatever comes up. We face a very good team, with very good players who make the difference. Very quick and dangerous if they have space. So we weill have to be aware," the 32 year old defender said.

After a relatively slow start, Barcelona looked close to their brilliant best in an 8-0 win away to Almeria last weekend.

Guardiola's side followed that up by thumping Panathinaikos 3-0 in the Champions League to secure a place in the last 16 as group winners. They have scored 33 goals in their 12 league games, conceding just eight.

Puyol said Barca were aware of the dangers posed by Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria.

"He (Ronaldo) always tries to play well, to help his team. He is a player who gives all he has. So we will have to be very aware, but not only focus on him because they have other players who play up front like Di Maria or Higuain, who are very good," Puyol said.

Real failed to win the league last season mainly because they lost both games to Barca, stretching their losing streak against Guardiola's team to four.

It is the first time Mourinho visits the Nou Camp as Real Madrid coach and expectations are high as Monday's game will match up two of the game's most influential coaches.

"This is a game against Real Madrid. We're not playing against Mourinho. It is a special match, and it is true they have a great coach, great players. But it is a Barca-Madrid," Puyol added.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• real madrid
• madrid
• cristiano ronaldo
• ronaldo
• press conference
• rueda de prensa
• barça
• barcelona
• clásico
• partido
• puyi
• puyol
• carles puyol

[SkillsGoLs]

@SkillsGoLs pretending

[SkillsGoLs]

@CenaxWWE stop predicting your not american, look at your username!

[CenaxWWE]

@TheMMP12 fuck no im not american, i just speak english well :D

[FinesseSHOTz23]

@TheMMP12 wtf is your problem? Was it necessary to put American in there? fucking piece of shit go rot in hell. call somebody an idiot, but directly refer to an entire country? fuck off.

[TheMMP12]

@CenaxWWE stupid american idiot.

[stuartyy90]

@CenaxWWE he doesnt dive anymore

[CenaxWWE]

''Try to do the best we can''

He means i'm gonna dive more than ever in this game ...

[MrAbdulAfg]

@DmastaPlaya Being from the same academy doesn't mean shit... That doesn't change the fact that you pay the refs.... You want proof? Search videos, you'll find plenty of em... "Best team in the world" My ass!!! The best teams in the world don't pay refs..

[DmastaPlaya]

@MrAbdulAfg i guess that is wat dogs r good at? lmfaoo retard. we bought cups?!?!?!?! bro almost the whole barcelona team is from the academy homegrown..i want u to name me a few players that play for real now that arent bought for millions of euro's. lmfaoo dude u r fucking STUPID!

[MrAbdulAfg]

@UchihaAnimator Fake? Atleast we earned it!! We beat you even tho the Ref was on your side... Barcelona bought both the titles they got.. You guys can't play for shit.. you pay instead