Schuster: "Even Atlético are doing things better than Real"

The former Real Madrid and Barça player, and Real Madrid coach, Bernd Schuster gave an interview on Thursday at the Real Club El Prat, in Terrassa (Catalonia).

Schuster started by talking about the squad structure at Los Blancos: “We all know a bit about this. Leaving aside personal preferences, if you take the Madrid squad, draw a line and divide it in two, you know that it is not balanced and at the top you pay for that because your biggest rivals are doing things better. Your rivals and even Atlético are doing things better. They change one piece for another in the same position, something that Madrid don’t do and to a certain extent they’re paying for it”.

The former midfielder also denied the Clásico was decisive: “It will give some indication about what’s to come, in the Champions League. Barça’s draw is more complicated than Madrid’s,” he said.

The former Getafe and Málaga coach also talked about Real's current trainer: “He’ll be able to take the experience he gained as a player into the dugout. We know it’s not just one more game, and that it’s hugely important to the fans. Zidane is no novice in that sense,” he added.

He also touched on Real Madrid’s current run of form: “I’m not sure how they’ll perform. I see so many highs and lows that I don’t know what to expect. After the international break they’ve barely trained together. They appear to be playing better but we’ll see. One player who does seem happier is Cristiano. Before he didn’t look happy. Cristiano needs to be comfortable and happy and to know he’s the best”.

“At the moment the Barcelona front three are more convincing. They’re amazing to watch”, he concluded.