Pepe delighted to be looking at rivals from above

Calm environment key to La Liga success says defender

Real Madrid defender Pepe says he is happy with the team’s current form, while admitting that he still has work to do to nail down a permanent place in the team at the Bernabeu.

Aside from a recent defeat to Werder Bremen in the Champions League, Real have been in good form this season and Saturday’s 3-1 home victory over Racing Santander saw them increase their lead at the top of La Liga to four points.

“We’re having a great season because our peace of mind enables us to be the leader,” said the newly-capped Portuguese international. “It’s a lot easier to concentrate and work well when things are calm.”

“In Bremen we only needed a point to qualify, but it wasn’t possible and we’ve had to leave it (qualification) for the last match. All that matters is that the team is in top form and that the players feel great and happy to be the leader in the league.”

A lot to prove

On a personal level, Pepe has finally shaken off an early season injury and has now started to claim a regular place in central defence alongside Fabio Cannavaro. However, the former Porto man says he still has work to do: “I still have a lot to prove. I have to work hard to earn my spot at Real Madrid.”

On the recent slip-up of rivals Barcelona against Espanyol at the weekend, in which Madrid’s arch enemy dropped two points, Pepe said: “We have to win our matches at home and away if Barcelona or any other teams slip up. That’s what we’re doing, and that’s why we’re first.”