Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez does not feel he personally has anything to prove in Saturday's La Liga Clasico against Barcelona at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid, who lost 3-2 at Sevilla before the international break, go into the game three points behind La Liga leaders Barca, who could welcome back fit-again talisman Lionel Messi to their team.
Benitez's management of his side has been regularly questioned recently by pundits in the local media, while there has also been ongoing speculation about internal issues within Los Blancos camp -- including alleged differences of opinion with Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez.
Asked at his prematch news conference if he felt he personally had a lot at stake in the game, the former Madrid youth team player and reserve coach replied that he was focused on winning the three points and returning to the top of the Liga table.
"I am playing for really important three points," Benitez said. "This is my first Clasico with the first team. I had others with the junior sides. The team is looking forward to the game, knowing the importance of any match against Barcelona.
"It is not the same to take on Barca with Extremadura, or with Liverpool or Madrid. Madrid must attack, score goals. I do not like being second in the table, and we have a chance to fix that tomorrow, in front of our fans, in our stadium. I believe Madrid are favourites for the game."
Benitez was repeatedly asked about a Marca report from earlier in the week, where it was claimed that senior players including club captain Ramos and star forward Ronaldo had asked him to play a more attacking style.
"I have a lot of respect for journalists and your profession," he said. "But this information is false, there was no meeting with the players. I have been managing teams for 25 or 30 years and will keep doing it the same way. I respect all opinions, but the team is the most attacking [in La Liga], shoots more and scores the most goals. If you analyse Madrid, you will see that."
A feeling that Ronaldo does not agree with Madrid's tactics, especially him playing centre-forward, was also knocked back.
"The players up front have a lot of freedom to interchange positions," Benitez said. "When you score lots of goals, everyone said it was fantastic. Then, when you don't score, they said were all blocked up. Cristiano is fundamental and has my confidence. He is a guarantee and will score many goals. The important thing is that he feels happy and is scoring goals."
Benitez has a full squad to pick from, and has been able to work at training with the majority of his players, after galacticos including Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos were excused international duty last week.
James, who has not started a game for Madrid since late August, played 90 minutes in both Colombia's internationals against Chile and Argentina in South America last week.
The Blancos coach said he had spoken to James and there was no problem between them, while stopping short of saying the 24-year-old would start against Barca.
"I am always honest," Benitez said. "The first thing I did was to say hello and talk to him. I am happy he has returned healthy. There is no problem. He is a great player who is available and from there to see if he can score many goals. He is in the squad, and can participate tomorrow."
Karim Benzema's participation is also under question, given the centre-forward has not played since injuring a hamstring with France on Oct. 8, and has also since been charged with conspiracy to blackmail as part of an investigation over a sex tape involving France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
"[Benzema] is in the squad," Benitez said. "He has trained well. Later we will decide if he plays or not."