Manolo Jimenez has determined that Real Zaragoza will be alert, at full strength and motivated to try and defeat Real Madrid this weekend.
The Coach takes his team into the home fixture against second place Madrid sitting 17th in La Liga, just two points above the relegation zone.
It was put to Jimenez that Madrid may be weakened, mentally or through team selection going into this game off the back of the international break.
“That question is sure to have been made of all my players and those of Madrid. If we are asleep we trust in these questions to wake us up,” Jimenez responded.
“As professionals that does not fit. We may be better or worse, but we are not going to get caught asleep, certainly. If anyone shouldn’t be asleep it should be our players who want very much to play in this game.
“Madrid are a great club, but we are in their League and three points against Madrid would be as against anyone and we must try to get them.
“It is more difficult than against others, but you have to look to it.
“Will they rest players? I would like many of the back-ups that Madrid have. They have very important players across all lines of the team, they have the best that there are in their positions in the world.
“They are a squad next to Barcelona and far above all the others. They have players who can determine a game at any moment and who are all very good.”
Jimenez was asked if he would rest players this weekend in anticipation of the relegation six-pointer next weekend against Deportivo.
“If the players are 100 per cent then they will be picked. In Madrid we can win. We have many chances to lose, but plenty of enthusiasm to win and we must exploit our chances.
“And against Depor, regardless of what happens against Madrid, it will be a final. If we win then it will be calmer, but if we lose then it will be a final that you cannot imagine!
“Nothing to lose against Madrid? If we were in 12th position the it could be taken as that, but now with the points short on the board and what we did not do against Granada [0-0 in last home game], we are obliged to do so against Madrid.”