Carlo Ancelotti wants a big
improvement from Real Madrid
when they face city rivals Atletico in
the crunch derby at the Bernabeu
this weekend.
Los Blancos come into the match on
the back of a battling and
controversial win over struggling
Elche on Wednesday night.
The Andalusian side gave as good as
they got throughout the 90 minutes
and grabbed a late equaliser only to
be beaten by a controversial
stoppage-time penalty from
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite being far from their best,
Real took the three points which
moved them to within two of
Atletico and Barcelona at the top of
the Primera Division table, but
Ancelotti wants to see a vast
improvement on Saturday night.
"We need to play better," he said.
"We won't win the derby if we play
like we have done in this match,
that's why I think we need to
improve, play with more intensity
and personality."
The last time these two sides met
was in last year's Copa del Rey final
when Atletico claimed an historic
victory at the Bernabeu, beating
their near neighbours for the first
time in 14 years.
Joao Miranda scored the winner in
extra-time as Real were left with
just the Super Cup to show for
their season's efforts and
goalkeeper Diego Lopez is keen on
revenge.
"We are hungry and we want to
play well," he said.
"Especially because of what
happened last year in the Copa del
Rey."
He added on bwin's youtube
channel: "It is a very important
game but the game in Elche was
important and so were the other
games we've played, so it is
another match.
"It is one in which we have to give
everything, but with the difficulty
that we are playing against a great
team.
"They (Atletico) have built a very
strong squad and a very united
group of players who know what
they're playing at and what their
strengths are.
"We have to exploit the small
deficiencies they may have in their
game and have faith in our own
quality and our football and try as
impose that on them."
Gareth Bale missed out against
Elche due to his ongoing thigh
problem but is back in training and
could start alongside Ronaldo, who
has nine goals in his last five
games.
Bale's return could see Karim
Benzema or Angel di Maria drop to
the bench.
Atletico have enjoyed a 100 per
cent start to their league campaign
and were only beaten on away
goals by Barca in the Super Cup.
Central defender Diego Godin now
hopes they can carry that
momentum into the derby.
"We arrive with great confidence,
playing well, scoring goals, (it) is
the best way to tackle a derby," he
told Radio Marca.
"We know the way to win at the
Bernabeu. We respect every
opponent but we will work hard in
all areas.
"We're excited to play a great game,
physically and technically.
"Real Madrid are the favourites due
to their budget, and because of
recent derbies played at the
Bernabeu, but we arrive in a great
state."
Midfielder Mario Suarez is a doubt
for the visitors with a knee
problem after coming off injured in
the 2-1 win over Osasuna but
Rojiblancos coach Diego Simeone
has no other new worries.