Nacho won’t look for excuses

Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez is adamant his side won’t use a lack of preparation time before December’s El Clasico as an excuse. Los Blancos will have 29 hours less time to prepare for the clash with arch-rivals Barcelona on December 18.
The Blaugrana are in action on December 14 when they visit Real Sociedad before welcoming Real to the Camp Nou.
Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane’s side play late on December 15 before making to trip to the home of the Catalan giants.
Nacho says the players are fully aware of the quick turnaround but the defender, who is working his way back from injury, says his side are not looking for any excuses ahead of the top-of-the-table clash. “Any team would like to have the same amount of rest time as the opposition team,” Nacho said. “But we have a great enough squad to take on this match. We are really keen to play this game. We won’t look for any excuses. We’d have liked the same rest, but we’ll go to win.”
Meanwhile, Nacho has been upbeat about his recovery from a knee injury and feels he is closing in on a return to action, although would not state an exact date when he will be available again. “I’m really happy with how the recovery is going,” he said. “The process is going as it should. “I can’t say an exact date for a return, but I think I’ll be able to train with the group again in the next week. I’m onto the final stretch.”