Carlo Ancelotti has urged Real Madrid not to pass up the chance to edge closer to the LaLiga title with an El Clasico victory over arch-rivals Barcelona.
La Liga leaders Real Madrid host Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday with Carlo Ancelotti's men eight points clear of second-placed Barca with just seven games of the season remaining
Carlo Ancelotti has urged Real Madrid not to pass up the chance to edge closer to the LaLiga title with an El Clasico victory over arch-rivals Barcelona.
Ancelotti told a press conference: 바카라śIf we manage to win it, we바카라™ll be within touching distance of LaLiga.
바카라śWe바카라™re playing against highly competitive opposition who have played brilliantly in recent games. It will be a hard-fought and evenly-matched Clasico, as they always are.
바카라śIt바카라™s a great opportunity to move closer to the LaLiga title, but we know how difficult it will be because Barcelona are still very much in it.바카라ť
Ancelotti바카라™s men are unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions culminating in Wednesday night바카라™s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory at Manchester City which booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals.
They have lost only once in the league all season 바카라“ in September 바카라“ and even the hugely-experienced Italian is excited at the prospect of what lies ahead.
He said: 바카라śWe바카라™re doing a fantastic job. The cake is ready, out of the oven and all we have to do now is ice it this month. It바카라™s a decisive month and we바카라™re heading into it in a great position.바카라ť
Ancelotti has a near full complement of players from which to pick from with only defender David Alaba currently not on the training pitch.
Barca will run out in Madrid still licking their wounds after Tuesday night바카라™s Champions League exit at the hands of Paris St Germain, and knowing they will have to do something special to reel in the leaders.
Head coach Xavi told a press conference: 바카라śFor us, it is the most important game of the season. We have to win and put pressure on the leaders. We are going to try to compete and win at the Bernabeu.
바카라śWe will find a strong Madrid, and even more so after eliminating the best team in the world, (Manchester) City. Euphoria will be through the roof and they are a very strong rival.
바카라śToday we trained well; yesterday we were hungover from the Champions League. The team has all the enthusiasm in the world to fight for this league.바카라ť
Xavi has immense respect for Madrid바카라™s efforts to date, but knows his side are not far behind where it was at the same stage last season before going on to win the title.
He said: 바카라śWe have all the respect in the world for Madrid and their numbers are extraordinary 바카라“ ours too because we have only four points fewer than last season.바카라ť