Real Madrid stars happy with Rafa Benitez's style of football ahead of El Clasico as former Liverpool boss brands stories of team rebellion 'false' and 'a lie'

• Rafa Benitez denies reports that players complained about his style of play
• Benitez hits out at journalists in final press conference before El Clasico 
• Real Madrid back to full strength after injury worries
• Gareth Bale says he is fully fit again after month-long injury lay-off
• Goalkeeper Keylor Navas also back in training ahead of El Clasico
• Real Madrid face Barcelona at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening
• El Clasico: 10 key questions for Real Madrid and Barcelona

By Jonny Singer for MailOnline

Published: 07:40 EST, 20 November 2015 | Updated: 13:02 EST, 20 November 2015

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez used his pre-Clasico press conference to strongly deny claims that his players had met with him to urge him to play a more attacking style of football against Barcelona.

The former Liverpool manager took on journalists over the suggestion, claiming the story was 'false' and 'a lie'.

And ahead of Real's first meeting with Barcelona this season, Benitez defended his record and denied he was under pressure. 

Rafa Benitez has denied that his players have complained about his defensive style of football this season

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale warm up ahead of Friday's training session before El Clasico on Saturday

Real Madrid's 'BBC' front line were all back in training together ahead of the showdown with their rivals

Luka Modric talks to manager Rafa Benitez, and looks set to be fit despite an injury scare

James Rodriguez, another player who has been injured this season and is now fit, hugs Ronaldo in training

‘I have a lot of respect for your profession but the story that I met with the players is false,’ he said.

He was pushed again with a journalist from Radio Marca who broke the story saying: ‘It’s true. The story is true’ and Benitez replying: ‘I repeat, the story is a lie. 

'Were you there? I have been managing dressing rooms for between 25 and 30 years and it has not gone to bad for me so I am going to keep on doing things the same way.’

Benitez also denied that he was playing for his future in what is his first Clasico as first team coach since taking over in the summer. Asked what was at stake he replied: ‘I’m playing for the three points as we all are.’

Real Madrid go into the game three points behind Barcleona and Benitez said: ‘We don’t like being second we want to be first. We are going to put this right tomorrow. We are playing at home so I think we are the favourites.’

It was a confident display that he will hope is followed by his team on Saturday evening. The team has sat back in several games so far in this campaign after taking the lead only to then concede but Benitez has said privately that that has been due to the team not having the attacking resources they would have once everyone was fit.

The Colombian star strikes a ball during the training session, Real's last one before Saturday's big game

He now has the luxury of having an almost completely fully-fit squad. Sergio Ramos will need a painkilling injection in a sore shoulder but will play from the start Benitez said, and a final decision will be made on Karim Benzema on Saturday morning but he admitted: ‘For only the second time this season I have almost everyone available.’ 

The likes of James Rodriguez, Keylor Navas and Benzema have all missed games recently, while Ramos has had an injured shoulder, but all could be fit for Barcelona, and trained on Friday morning.

Meanwhile Gareth Bale is confident he is back to full fitness and says he is 'ready for battle' when Barca, who are three points clear at the top of La Liga, visit the Bernabeu.

Wales international Bale has been plagued by niggling muscle injuries since moving to Spain in 2013 but said he was ready again to put his 'strength and speed' at the team's disposal after shaking off his calf problem. 

'I haven't had a chance to play much this season,' he told Real's website on Thursday.

The Real stars, back to almost a completely fit squad, look to be enjoying themselves during the session

The Real players take part in a mini-game as they are put through their paces in Friday's session

'Nowhere near as much as I would have liked anyway, but I'm feeling strong and fit for this game,' added the 26-year-old.

'I'm ready for battle. I want to keep trying to give my best, to work hard and to help the team win.'

Real surrendered top spot to Barca when they were beaten at Sevilla in their last game before the international break and another defeat on Saturday will see them drop six points behind their arch rivals after 12 games.

Atletico Madrid, the 2014 champions, are a point behind Real in third ahead of their match at Real Betis on Sunday.

Toni Kroos, Danilo and Jese Rodriguez are put through their paces in preparation for El Clasico

Keylor Navas, who has also been absent with injury, makes a save as he too returned to training

Bale says he is fit and strong, and ready to make an impact again when Barcelona visit the Bernabeu

Bale noted that Real, who replaced coach Carlo Ancelotti with Rafa Benitez at the end of last season, have lost only one match this term but said there was 'some room for improvement'.

'We could still be better, play better, and I'm hoping that, as the season goes on, our form continues to improve and that leads us to winning La Liga,' Bale said.

'I'm certain you'll see an attacking game from both teams and it makes sense that the team that scores a lot of goals will win.

'I'm hoping they don't score many. It will be an even contest, it's always tough against them, but fingers crossed we're able to get more goals than them.' 

Karim Benzema, who could start despite his well-publicized off-field problems, passes the ball

Pepe goes for a sprint as Bale, Modric and Mateo Kovacic watch on during the session

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