José María Gutiérrez, Guti, offered Friday's post-training press conference and expressed how positive and upbeat the team is heading into Sunday's 2009 opener against Villarreal.

Your thoughts on Villarreal?
They are clearly title hopefuls. They proved it last year and came close to winning. They play well and have players who can decide a match in a matter of seconds. It will be a difficult game for us.

And the team's newest players?
They haven't been here very long, but they are adjusting well and are eager to help out.

What do you think about only one being able to play the Champions League?
Rules are rules. They aren't just here for the next six months, but rather for an extended period of time. They are young and want to do well. Either of the two will contribute a lot and help the team.

What does the team need more, a forward or a midfielder?
It's up to the coach. I think we need everyone and for everyone to be healthy.

What's easier to win, La Liga or the Champions League?
They are both difficult and great teams play in each, but Real Madrid is the top candidate for everything. We've won the league two years in a row, and now it's difficult, but not impossible. In the Champions League we are among the favorites to win.

You see Real Madrid as a favorite?
We are the current champions and it's what we aspire to be again. There's a big gap, but we will continue fighting.

Was a coaching change really needed?
That's not my decision either. From my point of view, Schuster did a good job and tried to take the team to the top. The club thought a change was best, but you never know if changes will work out or not. We will make it to the top if we do things the way we should.

Juande or Schuster?
Juande prefers to work on tactics, but training sessions aren't much different now. All coaches at this level are qualified for the job no matter what style they use.

He gives you less liberty when it comes to tactics?
He likes order in defense and for the team to be well-positioned, but we all have the freedom to move about the pitch.

Is January going to be a key month?
The rest of the season is key for us. A twelve point lead is quite large. I think we can win La Liga, but we cannot make many mistakes. Barcelona have a lot more matches to play than we do in January, so they might tire fast.

Is it true that you run more now and that weight is carefully watched?
Weight is important to Juande and to everyone. I have weighed myself every day before and after training since I joined the first team. We run the same amount, but everyone has his own methods. I think everyone is doing a good job.

Can the euphoria that has gripped Barcelona benefit Real Madrid?
We hope so. What they are experiencing is quite normal. Perhaps it will cause them to lose a little focus and allow other teams to cut into their lead. They know that everyone else is going to continue fighting.