Butragueno Looking Forward To Madrid-Barca Clasico

‘The Vulture' believes that both Barca and Madrid will have clicked into full gear by the time El Clasico rolls around later this year.

Jul 10, 2009 9:46:24 PM

More On :  Barcelona, Real Madrid
Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid (Goal.com)

The Primera Division fixture list for the 2009/10 season was released yesterday and the first El Clasico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid has been penciled in for November 29 at the Camp Nou.

Don't Miss

Although it is still more than four months away, Los Blancos’ director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueno has already cast his eye on the showdown, as he believes that both sides will be at their best by then.

“What I want is for the team to be in good shape in the lead up to the match and for us to be doing well in the standings,” he was quoted as saying by Marca.

“When we play against Barcelona, both teams will already be well settled in and the players will be in form. We will see how things go.

“The league is going to be very demanding and until Christmas, we will have a high volume of games,” he cautioned.

‘El Buitre’ then revealed that the side will continue to be strengthened in the coming weeks, but he also warned that there is no guarantee for instant success.

“We must always aspire to have a team that will challenge in all competitions,” he said. “More players will arrive over the next few weeks, but football is complicated and nothing can ever be guaranteed.

“But there’s no doubt that we are going to be very competitive and along with Barca, we are the teams to beat this season.”

Finally, Butragueno praised the club’s efforts this summer to reconstruct the squad, despite their unsuccessful attempts to sign some of their other prime targets such as David Villa, Xabi Alonso and Franck Ribery.

“The team has made a tremendous effort. Now, there is still enough time to make adjustments and the sports directors are working on it.

“It’s true that some of our objectives have not been met as we would’ve liked, but it is to be expected. In the case of Xabi, he is an extraordinary player but we have run into difficulties.

“I do not know what will happen from here on, but it’s normal that the club look for other alternatives.”

KS Leong, Goal.com

For more on Spain click ahead to Goal.com's Spain homepage

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai

    Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.

  2. ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams

    Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.

  3. ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite

    Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.

  4. LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth

    With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.

  5. McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date

    The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.