Racing Santander host Real Madrid on Sunday at El Sardinero, with manager José Alberto López outlining his approach before the home match. GOAL reported that the fixture comes after nearly 15 years without a meeting between Racing and Real Madrid.
Racing's approach
José Alberto López said Racing would not abandon their usual style against Real Madrid. He said: "We will try to maintain our style, and I believe that will bring us closer to winning, but courage does not mean recklessness, and we must be balanced, because they will force us to give the very best we have."
What he said about Real Madrid
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, José Alberto López said: "Real Madrid do not need a big game to beat you. They look first for the goals and then for the match."
He also said: "It is not just about Mbappé, every player in the team is a genius, and all of them can get the better of you thanks to their individual quality and immense talent, as they can throw you off balance with any movement."
José Alberto López also praised Real Madrid and their manager José Mourinho. GOAL reported that José Alberto López reckons Real Madrid are in their finest spell of the season.
El Sardinero and the crowd
José Alberto López said: "On our pitch, with our fans, we feel immense strength." GOAL reported that José Alberto López predicted the stands of El Sardinero would turn into something like a "pressure cooker" and put pressure on Real Madrid's players.
How Racing view the occasion
GOAL reported that the club has waited a long time for this match. José Alberto López said: "We have been looking for matches like this for a long time, the club has been through a difficult journey on pitches such as yesterday's, and now we go into this encounter with calm."
He also said: "Facing these teams is not easy, every match is hugely important for them. For us, it is hard to lose on any given day, but for them a draw is like a defeat, because it could mean losing the league."
José Alberto López said: "We have nothing to lose."
