Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini said this Saturday that for the moment he was not thinking ahead to next Saturday's 'Classico' against FC Barcelona.
Real Madrid entertains Barcelona in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in seven days time in the game that most expect will determine the destiny of this season's BBVA Primera Liga title.
With both sides locked together at the top of the table and winning everything, the Classico is vital, but Pellegrini reminded journalists that his side still needs to take all three points from Sunday's visit to play Racing Santander in order to receive Barcelona in pole position.
"For me, the most important match is always the next one," he said in a press conference reproduced on the club's official website. "We are focused on this match and have not even thought about Barcelona. The players have thought about nothing other than the Racing match," he said reflecting the words of Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who this week also commented that he was not thinking about next weekend.
"I always say that the most important match of the season is the next one of the schedule, because when you think you don't have to play so hard that is when you don't earn the kind of results you want," said Pellegrini, whose side has won its last 11 league matches.
"We have kept this winning run alive because we always consider the next match to be the most difficult. I don't think the league will be decided next weekend in the Clasico because there will be seven matches after it against opponents who we have to respect," he assured.