Rayo Vallecano captain Michel has claimed his side have always been a bigger club than Madrid rivals Getafe ahead of Sunday's derby between the two.
Rayo are back in the Primera Division this season for the first time since 2003 having slumped down to the third tier for a period, and while they have been fighting to return to the elite neighbouring Getafe have firmly established themselves as a top-flight club.
Since winning promotion to the Primera Division for the first time seven seasons ago, Getafe have earned three top-10 finishes, reached two Copa del Rey finals and also the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.
Nevertheless, Michel does not believe Getafe should feel superior to his club, saying in a press conference: "I have been at Rayo my whole life and it is a historic club throughout the region of Madrid. Not even when we were in the Segunda Division did we consider ourselves below Getafe.
"At this moment in time Rayo has achieved a lot more in its history than Getafe, although it is true that in the last few years they have done well."
Aside from local bragging rights, the game is vital for both clubs to gain some extra breathing space from the relegation places.
Rayo are just three points above the drop zone and Getafe five.
"We need to move up the table and whether we beat Getafe or not, the table is independent from feeling like the third team in Madrid," said Michel.
"We need to win for what we are playing for, to be further away from the relegation zone and be able to play with more freedom in the coming weeks."
Rayo received a huge boost with the news that top scorer Michu will be free to play after his yellow card against Real Zaragoza last weekend was rescinded. Lass Bangoura could also retake his place after returning from African Nations Cup duty with Guinea.
Getafe boss Luis Garcia is particularly concerned about having to face Michu again after the midfielder scored the only goal when the two sides met in September.
He told the club's website: "We have to pay a lot of attention to Michu because he is a great player. He has scored 10 goals this season and is one of the best in the league.
"I didn't like the first game we played against them at all. We played pretty badly and they were deserved winners.
Since then we have got our injured players back, found our style of play and now the team is in good shape for the game."
Dani Guiza could miss out again for the visitors as a muscular problem has prevented him from training all week and Tsepo Masilela is suspended, but Alberto Lopo returns from his ban.
