Beckham7
01-04-2002, 06:52 AM
Real Madrid star Fernando Hierro has urged his team-mates to grab their chance to go top of La Liga when they play leaders Deportivo La Coruna at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
"With the players we've got, we should be top now and at the end of the season," he said.
The Galician visitors to Madrid occupy No 1 spot after taking over in the last game before the Christmas break, but they have failed to win at Real in 46 years.
Hierro, though, is determined that Madrid dethrone the 1999 winners with victory at the weekend. "The game is extremely important for both sides as the winners will be top," he explained.
"But we will go into the match with the same attitude as always, because to be considered the best side you have to beat all your opponents.
"We are all delighted at the club to have recovered so well from our disappointing start to the campaign. After eight or nine games, people were writing off our chances of qualifying for Europe, let alone winning the league.
"But we are now playing very well and are ready for a very strong test from Deportivo. They are a good team and have some magnificent players.
"People say that they have not won for so many years on our ground, but records are there to be broken and they won't worry about what previous Depor sides have done.
"The only thing that will be on their minds is beating us so that they can stay top. History will mean nothing when the game starts and it will all be about getting the three points."
Deportivo striker Diego Tristan has another motivation for winning against Real as he celebrates his 26th birthday on Saturday. "A victory in the Bernabeu would be a superb birthday present and I truly believe it is possible," insisted the Spain star.
"This Depor team is capable of winning anywhere and against anyone, so I don't think we will go to Madrid with any fear.
"I have to admit I don't have many good memories of playing there as I have never scored or been in a team that has left with even a point.
"I remember two occasions that on any other day I would have had no problem scoring. The first was when I played with Mallorca and the second was last season with Depor, when Iker Casillas made an outstanding save.
"But I am aiming to make amends on Saturday. Both sets of supporters are in for a treat. It will be a very exciting match."
"With the players we've got, we should be top now and at the end of the season," he said.
The Galician visitors to Madrid occupy No 1 spot after taking over in the last game before the Christmas break, but they have failed to win at Real in 46 years.
Hierro, though, is determined that Madrid dethrone the 1999 winners with victory at the weekend. "The game is extremely important for both sides as the winners will be top," he explained.
"But we will go into the match with the same attitude as always, because to be considered the best side you have to beat all your opponents.
"We are all delighted at the club to have recovered so well from our disappointing start to the campaign. After eight or nine games, people were writing off our chances of qualifying for Europe, let alone winning the league.
"But we are now playing very well and are ready for a very strong test from Deportivo. They are a good team and have some magnificent players.
"People say that they have not won for so many years on our ground, but records are there to be broken and they won't worry about what previous Depor sides have done.
"The only thing that will be on their minds is beating us so that they can stay top. History will mean nothing when the game starts and it will all be about getting the three points."
Deportivo striker Diego Tristan has another motivation for winning against Real as he celebrates his 26th birthday on Saturday. "A victory in the Bernabeu would be a superb birthday present and I truly believe it is possible," insisted the Spain star.
"This Depor team is capable of winning anywhere and against anyone, so I don't think we will go to Madrid with any fear.
"I have to admit I don't have many good memories of playing there as I have never scored or been in a team that has left with even a point.
"I remember two occasions that on any other day I would have had no problem scoring. The first was when I played with Mallorca and the second was last season with Depor, when Iker Casillas made an outstanding save.
"But I am aiming to make amends on Saturday. Both sets of supporters are in for a treat. It will be a very exciting match."