體壇英語資訊：Cristiano Ronaldo optimistic ahead of Classico

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday repeated his confidence that his side could go a long way towards claiming the Primera Liga title by beating bitter rivals FC Barcelona in Barca's Campo Nou stadium on Monday night.

The 'Classico' has become the focal point of the Spanish press with both side's seven points ahead of third placed Villarreal in the table, and although Ronaldo was unwilling to say whether or not the match would be decisive, he admitted its importance.

"The Classico may be decisive, but we don't know yet. What's clear is that we intend to win the match. We know it is a very important game and we will go out to win. We will know if it turns out to be decisive at the end of the season," he said in a press conference reproduced on the Real Madrid website.

Real Madrid have lost their last four matches against Barcelona, but with the arrival of Jose Mourinho as first team coach, they are unbeaten all season, while Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in the league.

The striker is clearly his club's star player, but he insists that he is no more important than his companions.

"I'm just another player on this team. We all feel the responsibility of having to play a good game. I don't feel more pressure than the rest. I always want more, but my teammates have the same thoughts and ambitions as me," he said, before referring to Barca's recent good results against his side, which include a 6-2 and a 2-0 win in the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I hope the story changes this season. We haven't lost a single game yet, which is important because it makes us confident. We know it will be a difficult match, but we are proving to be a solid side. I feel confident and I hope we earn a good result," said Ronaldo.

Mourinho is deeply unpopular in Barcelona, where he worked as an assistant coach to Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal. Both Mourinho and his players are expected to receive a hostile reception on Monday night, but Ronaldo insisted that would not worry them.

"It will only be natural for the Camp Nou crowd to greet our coach badly, but we are not worried about it. We will concentrate hard and not think about anything other than the match," commented the striker.

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday repeated his confidence that his side could go a long way towards claiming the Primera Liga title by beating bitter rivals FC Barcelona in Barca's Campo Nou stadium on Monday night.

The 'Classico' has become the focal point of the Spanish press with both side's seven points ahead of third placed Villarreal in the table, and although Ronaldo was unwilling to say whether or not the match would be decisive, he admitted its importance.

"The Classico may be decisive, but we don't know yet. What's clear is that we intend to win the match. We know it is a very important game and we will go out to win. We will know if it turns out to be decisive at the end of the season," he said in a press conference reproduced on the Real Madrid website.

Real Madrid have lost their last four matches against Barcelona, but with the arrival of Jose Mourinho as first team coach, they are unbeaten all season, while Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in the league.

The striker is clearly his club's star player, but he insists that he is no more important than his companions.

"I'm just another player on this team. We all feel the responsibility of having to play a good game. I don't feel more pressure than the rest. I always want more, but my teammates have the same thoughts and ambitions as me," he said, before referring to Barca's recent good results against his side, which include a 6-2 and a 2-0 win in the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I hope the story changes this season. We haven't lost a single game yet, which is important because it makes us confident. We know it will be a difficult match, but we are proving to be a solid side. I feel confident and I hope we earn a good result," said Ronaldo.

Mourinho is deeply unpopular in Barcelona, where he worked as an assistant coach to Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal. Both Mourinho and his players are expected to receive a hostile reception on Monday night, but Ronaldo insisted that would not worry them.

"It will only be natural for the Camp Nou crowd to greet our coach badly, but we are not worried about it. We will concentrate hard and not think about anything other than the match," commented the striker.