Robben to ABC: "I very much want to play my first derby"

Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Arjen Robben comentó, en una entrevista a ABC, las ganas inmensas que tiene de jugar su primer derbi como jugador del Real Madrid y los grandes jugadores del equipo rojiblanco. El madridista reconoció el gran momento por el que atraviesa el equipo blanco.

"I very much want to play my first derby. I'd hardly been here three months in the first one that took place after my signing and I was injured in the following two. It will be special"

"The coach never said the team played better without me. I spoke to him about it and he told me he didn't mean that. I focus on one-on-ones or on dribbling past two defenders, which entails some risk. I don't pass the ball as much as players like Gago or Guti. I'm a different kind of player."

"The team has performed as usual without me. I don't think my absence changed the way in which the team defended or attacked. We won in any case and that's what counts."

"I didnt' watch the Atletico-Barcelona game because I was with my family. I've been told it was a magnificent match with many goals. Atletico are good team and we have much respect for them. It will be a special clash for all of us. We are confident and hope to win."

"Atletico have many good players, but their four forwards -Maxi, Simao, Aguero and Forlan- are probably their most dangerous men."

"Atletico will want to play a good game. Every team in Spain tries to do well in attack. It's different in Engalnd; sides there, such as Liverpool, focus more on defending and staying in their half of the pitch."

"I can play down either wing, but it's important that defenders don't know where I'm going to come from. I've been playing down the right wing a lot in the last few months and I feel comfortable there."

"We didn't mind when we were 12 points behind Barcelona and don't mind now. We have to focus on ourselves. We are playing well and we are also confident. We are a quality team that is winning its games. We just have to wait for Barcelona to make mistakes."

"I feel honoured to play with Raul. He is a great captain and a great professional. He is far from finished."

"I guess I'm having my best run since I arrived here. What's important to me is to be fit. I've been playing non-stop since December and that's great. I am able to showcase my skills better when I don't get injured so often."

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Cannavaro to AS:"There is no euphoria on the team"

Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Fabio Cannavaro gave an interview to AS in which he talked about tonight's derby with Atletico. The defender also praised Aguero and Forlan.

"There's no euphoria on the team because we know we haven't achieved anything yet. Barcelona still have a four-point lead. We have to keep working, stay quiet and prepare for each game at a time. People forget about things too easily in football. Excuses and doubt take over when things don't work out."

"Pepe will miss the derby. That Portuguese guy has some nerve(laughs)! He wants to rest for the Liverpool match! He is an impressive defender and he is playing very well, but this team has many players capable of being starters. He will be a great loss on an individual level, but I always think about the team and I believe even you could play for us if we perform well!"

"Kun Aguero is very good at one-on-ones, but he still needs a little extra to be a superstar. I don't really want to say this out loud because I'm sure he'll score two goals if I do, but I think he sometimes misses too many chances for a striker. He is young and he still has to learn. He will be a superstar. He reminds me of Romario in his style, but Romario scored more goals."

"I think Forlan is great. He runs a lot, shoots with both feet, puts pressure on defenders, he is intelligent and very fast... It's hard to defend against both of them (laughs). I will defend against the one who attacks down the left, but I prefer to defend against counterattacks because I prefer to anticipate a team's play."

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Juande Ramos: "The game was always open"

Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J.O'Donnell

Juande Ramos analysed the derby for the press.

"We needed a victory in order for our streak to continue. We faced a complicated opponent and the game was always open; both teams could have won. We could have taken the lead early on. Robben, Marcelo and others had chances on goal and the game would have been very different if they had scored. Atletico could have won the game with their counterattacks."

"Atletico always play like this because they have fast and dangerous men in attack. The necessity to win a game forces you to attack. Tonight reminded me of a King's Cup game; victory is all that counts in that championship."

"I took Raul off because I wanted to freshen up our attack with Van der Vaart's brilliant set piece skills. We had chances to win the game. Guti hasn't played 90 straight minutes in a long time. He isn't as fit as the rest and I decided to substitute him. I wanted the team to have more physical drive."

"We were able to reduce the distance with Barcelona in eight points in just a couple of weeks, so I believe we can do the same now that the distance between us is six points. The difference is just two games. There are 12 matches left in La Liga, but we must now concentrate on our Anfield game. It will be a tough and thrilling encounter and my men are anxious to make the fans happy."

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