Raul: Barcelona play worse than Real

Rivaldo, Kluivert, Henry, Shevchenko, Totti, Crespo, Batistuta. This row of stars can be supplemented by Real Madrid Spanish international Raul Gonzalez who is the best scorer of the Champions League in 2000-01 (7 goals).

He is also the best scorer of the last Spanish championship (25 goals.)

Raul gave an interview to El Pais, certain excerpts of which are presented below:

(Q) - Is it right that you were beginning the trainings at 8.00 in the morning to be fit enough to perform in Barcelona?
(A) - Yes, it is. Such matches are very important for me. I would like to be in the best physical fitness.

(Q) - You are only 24-year-old. You are already a captain and fans love you. Don't you fear to feel 'giddy' of it?
(A) - I treat everything calmly. I have a lot of good friends who help me when necessary. And it is good that you have friends who analyze your each and every step.

(Q) - Why did the acquisition of Zidane by Real cause many problems? Maybe, the main problem is linked to the teamwork.
(A) -I don't know. We all wanted to play with him too much. He is a first-class player, isn't he?

(Q) - Nevertheless, Zidane's integration to the club influences on the performance of the team evidently.
(A) - Zidane is accustomed to his teammates excellently. He is a great player and a fine individual. Zidane always works on his physical fitness. Perhaps, we fail due to the large number of injured players. In addition, we don't use the moments convenient to score as much as we can.

(Q) - One fact is interesting: when Zidane plays well then Roberto Carlos, Figo and you don't perform well. How could you explain it?
(A) - Zidane has already shown his class. I reiterate everything depends on the teamwork. But I think there is no reason to worry. The problems with the tactics will be resolved soon. It is important that we have many excellent players. We must only worry that we did not manage to achieve success in many matches despite of our mastery.

(Q) - Do Barcelona play worse than Real?
(A) - Yes, I'd say. But they managed to win matches without demonstrating good football. We had much more scoring moments but we didn't manage to.