The El Clasico season 2012 opens tomorrrow with Real Madrid facing Barcelona with a Copa del Ray clash. Real coach Jose Mourinho has defended Cristiano Ronaldo against recent negative comments, and has pointed out that the attacker remains a very important figure for Real Madrid.

Madrid / NationalTurk – The Portuguese coach warned the critics as well : ‘If someone criticises Cristiano Ronaldo, he has a problem with me.’

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has ferociously defended his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo against recent criticism as Real Madrid prepares for the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final against Barcelona on Wednesday on home turf.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona Copa de Rey game preview

Cristiano Ronaldo has been assaulted with an endless line of negative comments in the past few weeks for his alleged inability to shine in the big games, he even got booed by a few Real Madrid fans who are apparently not pleased with his performance in recent matches but Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho had nothing but praise for his star player at the press conference for Real Madrid vs Barcelona Copa del Rey game.

Mourinho : Ronaldo works like an animal

“If someone criticises Cristiano Ronaldo, he has a problem with me. We won the Copa del Rey because of his goal, and he’s scored I don’t know how many goals for us. He’s scored countless hat-tricks, he carries so much pressure on his back, Ronaldo is working like an animal, seems to me respect is a lost virtue nowadays” Mourinho told reporters at Tuesday’s pre Cope del Rey match press conference in Madrid.

“But do you know which game of his I’ve liked best?” he continued. “The second half he gave us against Mallorca. He worked like an animal. He won the ball back for us and ended up exhausted. I told him that it was the game of his I was most proud of.”

“I told him that when he works like that there’s nobody who can touch him. When he works like that he doesn’t have to score all the time and be the man of the match. That was his best game for me.”

Mourinho, meanwhile, has called up winger Angel Di Maria for Wednesday’s match but was coy on the Argentine’s fitness amid reports he will miss the Barca game through injury. Madrid’s Pepe is also doubtful for Barcelona clash.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona Copa del Rey : Barcelona wants to claim all the titles

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has faith in his players that they can handle the pressure of a Copa del Rey quarter-final against great rivals Real Madrid at Bernabeu despite trailing them with 5 points behind in the La Liga title race.

It’s a (cup) tie not a league game. I have not noticed any signs in my players that they do not want to win titles,” stressed Pep Guardiola reported by Marca.

”In these type of games my players have the desire to make a good game and can handle any pressure, we are above that.”

Wednesday’s Copa del Rey match at the Santiago Bernabeu kicks off at 22.00 CET, and will be the 8th El Clasico between Real Madrid vs Barcelona in 9 months. Barcelona have won 3 games during the 9 month stretch, whereas Real Madrid captured one victory. 3 games ended in draws.

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