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Butragueno: Real Madrid Are Not Favourites For El Clasico

The director is excited about the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to los Blancos' starting lineup.

Nov 23, 2009 10:19:56 AM

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Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid (MARCA)

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Real Madrid have overtaken Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division table after the results at the weekend, but director Emilio Butragueno does not believe that this will play much of a factor during next week's titanic clash.

"A program said on Monday that we would go into the Camp Nou as leaders," he told AS.

"This is good for us and although the team is under construction, we are working better every game and Cristiano Ronaldo could also return, which would give us great strength.

"To be leaders does not make us favorites. Barca are playing at home, they will have the support of their fans. It will be a difficult game for us, but also for them - above all it will be a game with a huge emotional aspect."

Butragueno then went into greater depth on Ronaldo's fitness, but he does not believe that there is any rush to bring him back.

"I don't know if it will be a different game without Cristiano Ronaldo, because two great teams are playing and both have superb players, so I don't think there is a dependency on anyone.

"We'll have to see how Ronaldo is because it's been several weeks since he played and we must be careful. When he is fit, Ronaldo is a decisive player."

Anthony Wright, Goal.com

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