Del Bosque targets final frontier

Third time lucky

uefa.com: Why do you think the European Super Cup has more relevance now than in years gone by?

Vicente del Bosque: "The importance of the European Super Cup for us is that it is the first official mach and trophy of the season for Real Madrid and it's a title that the club doesn't have. If we lose it would be very negative for the club and the team - winning is an obligation."

uefa.com: Are you worried that Feyenoord could be physically fitter than your team as they have already started their domestic campaign?

VDB: "I am worried about Feyenoord in general. They are a great team in the Dutch tradition, with good overseas players who have been playing at a high level in the last year. They won the UEFA Cup and have qualified for the UEFA Champions League. They have beaten some great teams, so we are talking about a strong rival here. But we are fine. We have worked hard and trained well and I don't think it will be a handicap for us not having started the league yet. It will be a final of be equals."

uefa.com: Players like Santiago Solari, Fernando Morientes, Flavio Conceição and Pedro Munitis are reported to be leaving the club, perhaps to pay for Ronaldo. Will this affect team morale and strength?

VDB: "No player is indispensable, but I have never said that anyone will leave the team. I am not worried about buying Ronaldo, just the European Super Cup and the players should be the same. They are professionals who should be accustomed to this rumours and should only think about the match. It's always like this at this time of year. Anyway, the people we are talking about have an excellent record in the game, like Morientes, who has won three Champion Leagues and played in the last FIFA World Cup."

uefa.com: What do you think about Spain's new national coach, Iñaki Saez, asking Fernando Hierro to play again for his country after he announced his retirement from the international game?

VDB: "That is something you should ask Hierro, but he is without doubt one of the best players that Spanish football has produced in recent years. He is the complete footballer and has a great personality. If he is in good form he can play every game, for the club and the country, without any problem."