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I’m having a great moment. I wanted to prove myself after last season and to be the Sergio Ramos of past years. I feel similar to how I felt in my first-ever Real Madrid games, both physically and emotionally. I am excited about helping the team at my best.

I think the team is having its best moment of the season. We’ve gradually come up with our own style and we now play good football and enjoy ourselves on the pitch. We are fighting for the title with Barcelona. The difference between us is minimal and I believe the best thing we can do is continue to play like we’ve done so far.

Pellegrini has obviously stressed the importance of tactics and concentration. The defence tries to concede no goals, which is a difficult thing to do. The entire squad is helping out, which helps when it comes down to making counterattacks. In past years, people criticised the team’s defending and now it is worthy of praise.

That’s essential. You learn about tactics with years. I am more relaxed when I attack now because I know I’m covered.

That’s good. I’ve known him for years, since we both played in Spanish youth national teams. Being that close helps to do a good job on the pitch. I always feel comfortable when I’m paired with him as centre back. We know what we’re thinking just by looking at each other, but that’s not to say I don’t play equally well next to Garay, Pepe or another team-mate.

Of course it is. It guarantees at least a chance on goal against any team. And we know we’ll score from one in four chances because both of them are in tremendous form. Real Madrid have always had players that make a difference.

Atletico are rather strong right now and we won’t be able to make any mistakes in our ten remaining games, which are truly like finals. We’ll have to remain calm, be humble and focus on each game at a time. We have the advantage of playing our most complicated games at home. Our crowd will make things difficult for them.

Naturally. We need the support and excitement of the fans. We want to win the title and dedicate it to our fans.

I think a team’s success lies in the work of all its players. They have quality footballers that are currently having a great run, like Reyes, Forlan and Aguero, but it is team-work that has made them successful. We’ll have to watch out for the whole team, not just individual men. We’ll have to concentrate hard.

He is a great, young striker with a bright future.

I’ve always considered him to be one of the best strikers around. He works very hard. He always scores, regardless of how well or badly his team does.

I’m very happy for him. He can be one of the best wingers in the world when he’s at his best and I’m glad he is proving just how great a player he is.

Friends of mine there say the squad’s attitude has changed. I think he’s doing a good job.

I hope so. This is my fifth season here and I’ve had the fortune to take part in several derbies. Luckily, I’ve never lost one and I hope to keep this up because we need these three points.

We know we are strong and feel comfortable at the Bernabeu. We have to keep up the good work.

I don’t know. Six points will be at stake before it takes place. It will surely be a decisive game.

That was unheard of at the start of the season. We are having a good run right now and so are Barcelona. We have to win every game. We are determined to take 100 points or as many as it takes to win the title.