Hot & Cold – The psychological game in quotes ahead of the Real Madrid v Barcelona Copa del Rey Clasico
Wanker News keeps a record of whatever has been said over the past two weeks ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash at the Bernabeu...
SPECIAL
By Leo Harsha
With Real Madrid set to host Barcelona in the first of the two Copa del Rey Clasicos in the midweek, it is always interesting to know what kind of emotions are conveyed in words.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been on the receiving end of negative comments in the past few weeks for his alleged inability to shine in the big games, but Mourinho had nothing but praise for his star player on Tuesday.
Barcelona defender Dani Alves is eagerly anticipating the upcoming Copa del Rey clash against the 2011 cup winners and expects the showdown to be evenly balanced regardless of form.
While Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has been accused of going missing in the derby clashes,Lionel Messi has proven a key performer for Barcelona over the past few seasons and Xavi is anticipating more magic from his team-mate in the first leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Xavi admitted he is looking forward to Wednesday's Copa del Rey Clasico against Real Madrid and stressed his side will adopt an attacking approach at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pepe featured as a holding midfielder against the Catalans in the 2010-11 campaign in an attempt to keep Lionel Messi quiet, and the centre-back does not oppose the ideal of man-marking the Argentine again.
CR7 received his fair share of criticism after failing to find the net in Madrid's 3-1 La Liga loss against Barca back in December 2011, but Ronaldo has insisted that the high expectations do not affect him.
When asked for his comments before Real Madrid's weekend Liga match against Mallorca, the 'Special One' insisted that he is doing his utmost to prevent his players from being distracted by the mounting hype surrounding the Copa del Rey quarter-final first-leg clash with Barcelona.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has voiced his belief that are no favourites whenever his side and Real Madrid meet, and says that fixtures between the two ferocious foes leave players physically and mentally exhausted and that the vanquished will feel a little diminished.
Turning his attention to the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final showdown with Madrid, the Catalans' coach stated that Barca will try to “play the best game possible” and will be going all out for goals because “we know scoring away from home is much more complicated”.
With the two great rivals now set to lock horns twice more in the Copa del Rey, Iker Casillas is of the opinion that the Clasico is losing some of its lustre because Real Madrid and Barcelona are playing eachother so regularly.
Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso believes that Los Blancos are equipped to deal with the Blaugrana's challenge.
By Leo Harsha
With Real Madrid set to host Barcelona in the first of the two Copa del Rey Clasicos in the midweek, it is always interesting to know what kind of emotions are conveyed in words.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been on the receiving end of negative comments in the past few weeks for his alleged inability to shine in the big games, but Mourinho had nothing but praise for his star player on Tuesday.
 | If someone criticises Cristiano Ronaldo, he has a problem with me. We won the Copa del Rey because of his goal, and he's scored I don't know how many goals for us. He's scored countless hat-tricks, he carries so much pressure on his back. - Jose Mourinho, 17 Jan |  |
Barcelona defender Dani Alves is eagerly anticipating the upcoming Copa del Rey clash against the 2011 cup winners and expects the showdown to be evenly balanced regardless of form.
 | We really enjoy playing against Real Madrid. There is always a certain balance between the two teams when we meet, regardless of the form in previous weeks. - Daniel Alves, 17 Jan | |
While Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has been accused of going missing in the derby clashes,Lionel Messi has proven a key performer for Barcelona over the past few seasons and Xavi is anticipating more magic from his team-mate in the first leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
 | Leo will always make the difference. He's usually a decisive player and he's someone who grows with these games and likes playing in these games. - Xavi Hernandez, 17 Jan | |
Xavi admitted he is looking forward to Wednesday's Copa del Rey Clasico against Real Madrid and stressed his side will adopt an attacking approach at the Santiago Bernabeu.
 | We will attack, we want to dominate and score goals. That is what you see in every match, a lively and eye-catching attacking style. - Xavi Hernandez, 16 Jan | |
Pepe featured as a holding midfielder against the Catalans in the 2010-11 campaign in an attempt to keep Lionel Messi quiet, and the centre-back does not oppose the ideal of man-marking the Argentine again.
 | Whether I'll play in midfield again? The coach will know what to do against Barcelona. I'm always available to help Madrid. - Pepe, 16 Jan | |
CR7 received his fair share of criticism after failing to find the net in Madrid's 3-1 La Liga loss against Barca back in December 2011, but Ronaldo has insisted that the high expectations do not affect him.
 | I always try to relax before a game. The pressure doesn't get to me. I try to stay positive and always see new challenges. My mental strength is very important to me. - Cristiano Ronaldo, 16 Jan | |
When asked for his comments before Real Madrid's weekend Liga match against Mallorca, the 'Special One' insisted that he is doing his utmost to prevent his players from being distracted by the mounting hype surrounding the Copa del Rey quarter-final first-leg clash with Barcelona.
 | It makes no sense to speak of Barcelona. For the media it is very good because you sell more and work less. - Jose Mourinho, 13 Jan | |
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has voiced his belief that are no favourites whenever his side and Real Madrid meet, and says that fixtures between the two ferocious foes leave players physically and mentally exhausted and that the vanquished will feel a little diminished.
 | There are no favourites between Barca and Real Madrid. These matches have a lot of tension, where you get physically and mentally exhausted. Whoever loses is a little diminished. - Gerard Pique, 13 Jan | |
Turning his attention to the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final showdown with Madrid, the Catalans' coach stated that Barca will try to “play the best game possible” and will be going all out for goals because “we know scoring away from home is much more complicated”.
 | The quarter-finals will be great and exciting for the spectators. Both Barca and Madrid are teams that, no matter what competition we are playing in, always try to win. - Josep Guardiola, 13 Jan | |
With the two great rivals now set to lock horns twice more in the Copa del Rey, Iker Casillas is of the opinion that the Clasico is losing some of its lustre because Real Madrid and Barcelona are playing eachother so regularly.
 | When there are few it's agreeable [but] when there are a lot you get tired [of them]. In my opinion, as we’ve played so many games, sometimes feels a little decaffeinated. - Iker Casillas, 12 Jan | |
Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso believes that Los Blancos are equipped to deal with the Blaugrana's challenge.
 | I do not want to compare [both clubs]. We have been doing well, we have started 2012 with three victories and we are not concerned about what happens elsewhere. - Xabi Alonso, 12 Jan | |
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