Baptista: I hope Real Madrid beats Barcelona and wins El Clasico. Yamal’s remarks are meaningless

Baptista was interviewed on the eve of the national derby. He talked about the pressure of this focus battle, Yamal's controversial remarks and Real Madrid's current state.

Question: Which is more difficult, playing El Clasico or staying calm before the game?

Baptista: I think it's neither. I think for a game like this, the players are ready and know what's going to happen after a week of focused preparation. This is a very important game that is highly anticipated. All eyes are on this game and all players want to play well.

Q: What does a player need to do well in El Clasico?

Baptista: I think the most important thing is to maintain inner peace, especially during this week, to know what the coach wants and what the coach will ask for. The most important thing is for players to play with as few injuries as possible, because at the end of the day, when a player plays with injuries, he is not 100%. I think a player can perform at his best when he is in perfect physical and mental condition.

Question: We have experienced the El Clasico battle between Messi and Ronaldo for many years... now it seems to be Mbappe's turn against Yamal. Do you think there are similarities?

Baptista: I think every generation is different and we can't always compare. I think Yamal is a very talented player. On Real Madrid's side, they have Kylian Mbappe, they have Vinicius, who are also incredible players. I think everyone has their own strengths and characteristics, and we hope each of them can perform at their best in a game like this.

Q: Madrid fans still remember your wonderful goal at Camp Nou.

Baptista: Unbelievable. To be able to score in a game like that, when we were playing at home and it was more difficult to win and we hadn't won there in a long time, and to be able to score, it was very special for me. To this day, it's still special because people still remember it, so it's super incredible to me.

Q: Real Madrid's current situation is somewhat similar to that of your time. They have just suffered four consecutive defeats in the El Clasico. How do you think the team should face such a game?

Baptista: I think Real Madrid is undergoing adjustments, changing coaches, and now has different ideas brought by Alonso. We hope that Real Madrid can play a complete game from beginning to end, a game that leaves no doubts, especially to win this game at home, in its own stadium.

Q: What did Real Madrid lack in past games?

Baptista: Well, ultimately, football is based on details. I was there for that game in Montjuic last season and if Real Madrid had been more accurate in the first half against goal, the game would have ended 3-0. In a game like this, you can't miss an opportunity: when you have an opportunity, you have to take it. We want this Real Madrid to be more accurate in front of goal and not let those chances slip away because in big, important games you have to score to seal the victory.

Q: Regarding those remarks made by Yamal three days before the El Clasico

Baptista: I have commented before that that type of remarks must be eliminated because they are not helpful to the game, especially to the referee. I think the referees have to be helped. In the final analysis, the referee should not be the protagonist, the protagonist must be the players. Referees are there to support and try to do their job, even though we all know they have a tough time. We, as outsiders, have to work hard to take the pressure off them so that they can enforce the law in the right way and without mistakes, which is difficult but what everyone expects.