What can we expect to see from Real Madrid this year?

I am convinced that this team, with the additions of Van der Vaart, Rubén De la Red and Javi García, can obtain even better results this year. The team is more gelled and more confident in its own abilities. I think we’re on the right track, and I think we can improve in the Champions League barring any injuries.

The last three Champions Leagues won by Madrid coincided with poor league results. Could that happen this year?

Of course everyone is thinking Champions League after winning La Liga two years in a row. We are too. Of course we want to know how far we can go in Europe. Perhaps at a certain moment we have to focus more on that competition, especially when matches of each come one right after the other. This team knows where it can get in La Liga. Last year it won the title with a huge lead, but I don’t think what happened in the Champions League was fair. We are going to work on giving more importance to Europe this season and try to make it even further.

Does that mean the team’s training will be centered around the Champions League?

Well, a little bit more than last year, yes.

Is the incorporation of Van der Vaart enough to achieve such a goal?

Rafa is great for us because he closely resembles Sneijder and Guti. We didn’t have Wesley with us against Roma last and it really hurt us. Now we have Rafa in case anything should happen. That is where we have improved. We have more options in the midfield and have not lost any football talent.

Did Raúl reearn his bonus with his brace against Espanyol?

He doesn’t have to reearn it. He will get it. The same goes for Ruud, who also gets a bonus. Fabio Cannavaro also gets one. They are players who have done great things, and even when they perhaps haven’t been in their best form, they have still earned it. Raúl has gained that confidence we are giving to him, nothing more.

Will we have to get used to seeing Raúl on the bench this season?

I hope not. It wouldn’t be a good sign. Real Madrid need the Raúl from last season. Being that Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t come and that Robinho left, the goals by Raúl, Ruud and Higuaín are going to be very important. We need to have Raúl in his best form. He knows it too. But this year we also have several midfielders who can score.

How many more years does Raúl have in him?

A lot. He is a player who gets very involved and lives to work. It gets harder and harder to end your career at clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelone, or Manchester United. It was easier during my time as a player. There was a lot less demanded of you.

How far away is Real Madrid from achieving excellence?

Excellence will be difficult to achieve. This team is built on grit and guts and sometimes leave excellence by the wayside. I don’t see any team out there who plays excellent football. Teams that dominate Europe or built on grit. Manchester and Liverpool, for example, are incredibly balanced teams of hard workers.

What teams do you fear most in the Champions League?

Manchester and Chelsea. Inter will also be tough this year now that they have Mourinho.

Will you do anything in particular to mark Agüero in the derby?

No. Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze, know what he is capable of. He doesn’t need a lot of room to work with in order to score. I know Atletico have placed a lot of their hope in him, and he is capable of winning matches.

Does anything else worry you about Atlético Madrid?

I know what playing against Real Madrid means to them. They will be very motivated. Defeating Real Madrid in front of their home crowd is very important to them. Let’s see if Forlán and Maniche return from injury. I think they will all be ready to play, but I hope our guys are all fit to play also.

And are you relieved about the injuries to Buffon and Camoranesi heading into the match against Juventus?

I do not like to play against teams beleaguered with injuries. I like playing opponents who are in top form. It makes motivating my players a lot easier. I am a bit worried about Juventus’ situation because it can create excess confidence.

What are the chances of a Real Madrid treble?

Well, a treble is very complicated. It has to be a perfect year with no injuries and plenty of luck. Even a double is tough.

Can Spain win the World Cup?

They have taken one important step. Winning one title can really ease your mind. We all have more faith in the team after seeing what they did in the Euro. Spain should be considered the favorite to win the World Cup and I think they have a 95% chance of making the final.