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Goal.com

Real Madrid glovesman Iker Casillas senses that the comprehensive 6-1 victory over Deportivo could be an indication that the team are finding their feet this season.

Los Blancos have faced criticism in the new campaign for their toothless nature in front of goal that have seen them stumble to away draws versus Mallorca and Levante in La Liga.

However, speaking to the club’s official website, the Spanish shot-stopper reckons that the goal glut against the hapless Galicians should be used as reference that the team are beginning to match results with performances.

“We played very well against Deportivo, we won and our style was convincing. The fans are also happy, and that is the most important thing for us.

“We have always had faith in our style. People dubbed us ineffective despite the many chances we created against Mallorca, Ajax and Osasuna. But against Deportivo people could see that we scored three goals from our first four chances. There have been many changes to our line-up, but we have all contributed to the team’s success.

“Our average age is very young and that is something that is very noticeable at Real Madrid. Demands are very high here and they help you to fight right until the end of the season.”

SkySports

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has hailed the changes made by Jose Mourinho since his arrival and believes the club are ready for a trophy haul.

Flamboyant Portuguese coach Mourinho took up the reins at the Bernabeu in the summer after a treble-winning campaign with Inter Milan that included UEFA Champions League glory.

Since he has joined Madrid, Los Merengues have gone to the summit of the Primera Division and sit pretty in their Champions League group - leading nearest rivals AC Milan by five points.

Ronaldo and co take on the Rossoneri on Wednesday night and the former Manchester United man believes it is time for trophies in the Spanish capital once more.

"We are a very different Real from last season," he told Sport Bild.

"The discipline has greatly improved. No one does things as an individual anymore.

"The emphasis is on the team, and everyone has a clear role.

"Therefore we are playing with more determination, and there is more enjoyment in the game.

Decisive changes
"Our coach Jose Mourinho has made decisive changes. He knows what he has to do with us to win titles.

"Everything is fitting together so well that we really can win titles at the end of the season.

"The time is ripe again for Real Madrid."

Ronaldo has also backed Madrid team-mate Mesut Ozil to emulate his own achievement of being named World Player of the Year.

Inside Futbol

It’s finally here. Europe’s biggest derby is just around the corner as Barcelona play host to Real Madrid in what is arguably one of the fiercest and most exciting match in the world. Rarely have both teams been in fine form at exactly the same time, and this will be put to the test as two of the world’s best clubs joust for La Liga supremacy and even more importantly, bragging rights.

Ever since their shock defeat to Hercules at the beginning at the season, Barcelona have confirmed just why they are one of the best – if not the best – side in the world by embarking on a very good run, one that has seen them top their Champions League group and kept them right up front in the league title race. Now, the Catalan giants have a very good chance of topping the chart with a win at the Camp Nou over their perennial foes, and should recent El Clasico results be taken into consideration, Pep Guardiola’s team have a very high chance of getting it.

One of biggest names since Luis Figo to come back to the Camp Nou – the Portuguese swapped Barcelona for Real Madrid in a controversial move in 2000 – will be Jose Mourinho. The legendary Portuguese coach started as assistant manager at the Blaugrana, before upsetting the fans twice during his managerial career with Chelsea and Internazionale. One of the few people in the game to “crack” the Barcelona code, "The Special One" will certainly be the target of some jeering by the stadium’s faithful, even if club president Sandro Rosell assured Los Blancos with recent comments that Los Cules will be respectful towards the former Porto coach.


Out for Revenge

Much time has passed since Real Madrid last won El Clasico, with their last victory dating back to more than two years ago, when they triumphed over the Catalans by four goals to one at the Santiago Bernabeu. Since then, the likes of Juande Ramos and Manuel Pellegrini have all proven helpless against Barcelona, with the latter particularly flopping at home during the infamous 6-2 drubbing that Los Blancos received on their own turf in May 2009.

With Jose Mourinho in charge however, the nine-time Champions League winners will fancy their chances of getting one over on the current league champions. A master tactician, Mourinho has transformed Real Madrid to one of the best sides in the world on current form and revolutionised the team since his arrival last May. Under his tutorship, Los Blancos remain unbeaten this season, leading the domestic league and their Champions League group. Their defensive line is as good as ever – a natural trait of Mourinho’s teams – while their attack has grown even deadlier with the arrival of stars such as Mesut Ozil and Angel di Maria.

One player who is showing a cool head ahead of the encounter is Real’s star Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has been involved in a breathtaking duel with Lionel Messi over the Pichichi award, and it is certain that both will be highly motivated to topple the other on this occasion. Speaking to the press, Ronaldo acknowledged the task that beating Barcelona will pose at the Camp Nou: “They are a difficult team to beat. It’s the same team as in recent years and they are especially strong at home. They have shown that they are right in the hunt with us for the league title.”


 

Recent form

Barcelona:
Barcelona 3-1 Villarreal (13/11; La Liga)
Almeria 0-8 Barcelona (20/11; La Liga)
Panathinaikos 0-3 Barcelona (24/11; Champions League)

Real Madrid:
Sporting Gijon 0-1 Real Madrid (14/11; La Liga)
Real Madrid 5-1 Athletic Bilbao (20/11; La Liga)
AFC Ajax 0-4 Real Madrid (23/11; Champions League)


Key absences

Barcelona: Gabriel Milito

Real Madrid: Kaka; Ezequiel Garay; Fernando Gago; Sami Khedira (doubt); Gonzalo Higuain (doubt)


Players to watch

Barcelona – Lionel Messi: The Argentinian has been at the centre of the action in recent El Clasico encounters, and his presence will surely require special plans on Mourinho’s part, as the Portuguese prepared during Barca’s encounter with Inter in last season’s Champions League semi-final. Also, Sergio Busquets will have the hard task of breaking up play and anchoring the defence and attack.

Real Madrid – Ricardo Carvalho: Already looking to be one of the best buys of the summer, Ricardo Carvalho has slotted in easily at the heart of the Madrid back four, spreading calm. The spotlight will be focused on young Mesut Ozil too as he makes his first El Clasico bow. After an excellent summer with Germany at the World Cup, the playmaker will be looking to nail his name to Mourinho’s team-sheet, especially with the imminent return of Kaka.