How do you feel on a personal level? How do you think the team is doing so far?

I had to gradually adapt again after my injury and I now feel fit. I can do better and help the team more and I will gradually do so. I think the team is working hard despite our elimination from the Copa del Rey. We know what we need to do to achieve our goals in La Liga and in the Champions League. We will try to work hard and to be humble to win a title.

How should the team play?

Everyone will have their own opinion, but we try to do what the coach asks of us. Things may work or not, but people should be happy with the team because we are having a great attitude. Fans aren’t thrilled by our style, but they soon will be. We will gradually improve.

What does the coach want the team to do?

There’s a new system now that we have new players on the squad and we have to continue to try out different options. The coach will change positioning and tactics around to create a style that suits Real Madrid. I can’t really define a style yet because we are still trying out stuff to be at our best. We’ll try to thrive in our style once we find it.

Barcelona play a horizontal game while yours is more vertical. That may be the greatest difference between both teams…

Barcelona’s advantage is the fact that they’ve been playing together for much longer and they know each other perfectly well. They were lucky to be rewarded for their efforts with three titles last year and that may make people believe everything is easy for them. But each team has its own style. We may be better than them in attack and at counterattacking. They may be better in midfield because they have players that truly make a difference in that part of the pitch.

What should players do in the days preceding a Clasico?

We must remain calm. I think it would be a mistake to try out new things. A Clasico is different to any other game, but preparations are the same; we rest, get motivated and try to be ready for when the time comes.

Several players on both teams are team-mates on the Spanish national side. Have you talked about the game?

We’ve joked about it and teased each other, but it’s nothing serious. We are all friends. We’ve been together on the national team for several years.

Why will the game be important?

It will be important because there is a very narrow difference in points between both teams. I think the outcome could play a small role in what may happen at the end of the season. Our victory at Camp Nou with Capello helped us win the title. These games are special to the fans and they have a great influence. Defeating Barcelona at Camp Nou could ease our minds.

If you play as a right back you’ll have to mark strong men like Henry.

I’ve been lucky to face many great players and he is one of them. He is having a great run both at Barcelona and with France. He is fast and his change in pace is impressive.

What do you think of what he did against Ireland?

I don’t want to enter a controversial debate, but it naturally seems unfair for a country to be left out of the World Cup because a player touched the ball with his hand. But football, as they say, is made for clever players. If that gave France a ticket to the championship I wish to congratulate them for it. It is nevertheless a shame for the other country. The referee was there to see what happened, but he didn’t.

What do you think of Iniesta?

I think he is one of the best players in the world. It is very hard to do the job he does on a team like Barcelona. His quality is extraordinary. He is fast, he scores goals, he serves assists… He’s practically got it all.

How do you mark players like him and Henry?

You have to stay close to them because they are capable of scoring a goal at any given time. You have to force them to receive the ball with their backs to the goal.

Messi sometimes runs down both wings, just like you’ve done against him sometimes…

Messi is also one of the best players in the world. I think he’s got something else, just like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka do. They all make a difference and can define a match by scoring at any given time. You have to keep an eye on them throughout a game because they are dangerous.

Your team-mates always point out your physical strength. Ronaldo is also an ‘animal’. Do you think he is much stronger than you?

We are lucky to be able to play with the best players in the world. Cristiano is one of them. He is a great professional with amazing drive. That helps me become a better player because I learn from him. I think Ronaldo surprises everybody. I think he is one of the most versatile players out there. He’s got it all.

People doubt Kaka’s skills, but this also happened to Zidane during his first months on the team. Do you think it’s fair on him?

I don’t want to say if it’s fair or not because everyone is entitled to an opinion. Kaka is an essential player at Real Madrid and I think his performance level will soar. He is a great player.

Coaches and defenders are always blamed for bad results at Real Madrid...

That’s true, but it comes with being at a club this big. We try to do our job and instil the team with confidence. We don’t mind what people think.

What does the squad do before a match?

We usually arrive early and listen to some music in the dressing room to motivate ourselves. We come from many different parts of the world and we listen to all sorts of music, like flamenco, hip-hop, Arab songs…

What score would you like to earn on Sunday?

I’d be happy with a victory and I think we can win 2-1.