Schuster was victorious in his first Madrid derby in charge of Real when they beat Atlético 2-1 on the first day of the season and will be looking for a similar result as his side look to bounce back from their elimination from the Copa del Rey at the hands of Mallorca in mid-week.If they are able to win on Sunday, Schuster believes it would not only be a vital result as far as maintaining their lead at the top of the table but that it would also be a huge psychological blow to their rivals for the La Liga crown.
"There is always more behind a victory in the derby at the Calderón or the Bernabéu, there is more on it, especially for the teams behind us who are hoping to close the gap," he told a press conference ahead of the derby clash.
"If we won tomorrow we would strike another blow to our rivals bigger than just the three points."
Schuster is confident of a victory and is calm knowing that his team are fully prepared for the match.
"I am fully content that my team is motivated. For us, perhaps the most important work is the psychological side; on motivation; on knowing that this is an important match.
"I am calmer because the players have arrived near their optimal level once more. And we must reach that and play a good game in general if we want to win."
Schuster looked back warmly to the first-day of the season, but believes that Atlético's home support will make this game a tougher test for Real, despite the gap in points between the teams in the league table.
"In August the Atlético were the favorite, but in derbies the one that plays at home has a small advantage, mainly in the Calderón because their supporters push the team on. To play well is difficult there.
"Now we are more favored than in August, because we have the ten points between us, but I believe that it is not necessary to discredit Atlético, who after many years have returned with a team able to compete for the league, and I applaud that."
Raúl seems to have enjoyed a new lease of life under Schuster and the German coach could not be happier with the attitude of the Real captain.
"He is one of the few players who does not have motivation problems. He knows how to motivate himself and needs little to get himself animated.
"The fact that he comes into the game in good shape is excellent for us, but sometimes in these games we pay more attention to his sort of player and in the end it is others that decide the game."
Finally, the discussion turned to Schuster's relationship with Real Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano, who suggested that Real received favourable decisions from referees against the smaller clubs.
"I have the same respect for Gregorio that I had before... we have played the cup game, and Mallorca beat us. It will not change our relationship; we have the same respect," he concluded.
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