Real Madrid

Javier Balboa knows the league is winding down and that Real Madrid have a chance of locking up the title on Sunday, but even with such an  important accomplishment on the horizon, the midfield has done a good job keeping a lid on his excitement.

The team must be keeping their excitement to a minimum.
We're calm but eager to have the title in our hands. It will be great if we can we can win it this weekend. Every other team will have played before us, so we will know what our chances are. We're calm, but we want the league now.

Taking a hard look at it, all signs point to it happening this Sunday.
At first glance yes. We play at home and we'll know how the other teams fared. If it can't be this weekend, then we'll do it the next. We're in no hurry, but the sooner the better.

But as a Madridista you prefer to win it against Barcelona.
No. Honestly, not me, and I consider myself a huge Madridista and this will be my first title. I want it as soon as possible; this wekeend would be great. I don't want to wait until the game against Barcelona.

It looks like the league is easy to win based on the point difference between first and second place.
Not at all easy. We have been criticised for the way we play, but we have been the most consistent team and we're proving it. It's not at all easy.

What do you think about Gurpegui's return?
I'm happy for him because it wasn't an easy situation. As a fellow player I am happy that he is returning. I'm sure he's been looking forward to it.

Do you want Barcelona to win the Champions League?
As the only Spanish team left, yes. If Barcelona don't win it, I hope Liverpool do.

Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo's value decreased after he missed the penalty against Barcelona?
I would love to be in Cristiano Ronaldo's shoes to take a penalty in the semifinals of the Champions League. If he's not the best in the world, he's definitely among the top three.