Macca: Ultimate atmosphere at Real-Barca derby

Steve McManaman says that there is nothing like the atmosphere surrounding the annual clash between archrivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. Not even the Manchester United-Liverpool match compares, according to the Real midfielder.

Real Madrid won the Sunday showdown 2-0 at the Bernabeu and McManaman was a central contributor, supplying the cross that allowed Fernando Morientes to notch the first-half game-winner, then pinching into central midfield later in the match to help the Madridistas hold their advantage.

"There is 100 times more atmosphere than there is in England," McManaman said of the Barca-Real match-up. "Special? There is nothing like it - not even a Manchester United-Liverpool game."

Part of the England midfielder’s enthusiasm was undoubtedly boosted by his personal performance during the match, but McManaman was quick to put his own form into perspective.

"It was my best game of the season, although that doesn't matter," the England international said. "The coach told me to move into the center and I think that was the key to winning the game."

"The way I play doesn't matter as long as the team wins. I am happy, but even happier that the team won."

"The merit isn't mine - it's the team's. We played compact football, we moved well, we had chances and we took them. Beating Barcelona is always special and everybody enjoyed it."

McManaman revealed that the side had come together prior to the match to collectively underscore the significance of the clash.

"We got together. We knew how important it was and that we had to take full points. That's what we said to each other and it worked out."

"We're in the fight for the title now, but that idea had never left our minds, even though some said we had lost hope."

The win over the Catalans vaulted coach Vicente del Bosque’s men out of the bottom half of the Liga table into seventh position, just 7 points behind leaders Deportivo.

Real’s start to the domestic season had been way below the standards of the championship-winning side, but the Bernabeu outfit seems to have recovered, going undefeated in their last five league matches.