Real Madrid

Manuel Pellegrini, who has decided to announce his squad list on Saturday, discussed how he feels about the team’s performance of late and what the keys are to winning La Liga during today's press conference.

Squad list:
"I will announce the squad list on Saturday after our warmup. Some players are recovering from injuries of different severity, but there is no reason to be worried. It's just bad luck.Hoepfully we have fewer injuries down the final stretch of the season."

Cristiano Ronaldo:
"We are waiting to see what the Committee has to say. He is a very important player but we have to wait. Cristiano Ronaldo is an essential player, but without him we also managed to move top in La Liga and to win important matches. We have a great squad comprised of great players. I am pleased with the way we are playing, the number of points we have earned as well as  the number of goals we have scored and conceded."

League aspirations:
"It is important to earn as many points as possible because each point that we lose makes accomplishing out goals that much more difficult. Our goal now is to win the next match at home and then travel to Xerez without any doubts. We cannot predict the future of other teams. We need to prove why we are where we are in ninety minutes of play."

"We play based on the obligation of winning our matches. We are not concerned about Barcelona. Every point counts. We don't feel any pressure from Barcelona and it isn't true that we treat each match as if it was a final."

"No one can predict the future. Football can change in mere seconds. An athlete presses on as long as there are possibilities. We need to earn points, continue playing well and protect our football."

Karim Benzema:
"He has been the same player since the very beginning. Scoring is good for players because it makes them feel better throughout the following week."

Midfield against Espanyol:
"It isn't the first time that Xabi Alonso plays by himself in the center midfield. We have won all ten matches at the Bernabeu under different conditions and by changing variables. We have different alternatives which are useful at different times. In the Bernabeu we have played with two men and we have won all thirty points at stake: with Xabi Alonso and Lass, with Lass and Diarra, with Gago and Xabi..."

Starting eleven:
"My starting eleven is made up of those who I feel are the most adequate for the match and those who are at the top of their game. The team can play under various possibilities."