“We’ll play in our stadium and in front of our fans, therefore, Real Madrid are always favourites”.
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The Argentina captain has been sidelined since suffering knee ligament damage in the win over Las Palmas in September. “However, it is the type of injury where there are risks for the future”, Suarez told a news conference on Wednesday.
The fact that Messi is considered a match-time decision means he could enter the starting XI, be named to the bench or be left out of the squad entirely. Three points against Madrid will certainly help elevate their post.
More than 2,000 police and other security and emergency services personnel have been deployed, fans were subjected to rigorous checks before being allowed in and snipers were positioned on the stadium roof. The Catalans have 27 points after 13 games and find themselves three points ahead of Real Madrid heading into the Clasico. Something that Real Madrid wouldn’t have that luxury if Barcelona were to win.
Real have the best attacking line in La Liga with 26 goals and t hey boast the second best defensive line behind Atletico Madrid with just seven goals conceded in 11 games.
Benitez said: “We have yet to decide whether he will start, but he is part of the squad”.
Barcelona has been getting a few strong play from Neymar and Luis Suarez, as the two have combined for 20 goals during Messi’s absence.
“It’s going to be a hard game, but I hope to see my team at their best”, he added, before highlighting the danger posed by Madrid. The Portuguese star has scored 8 goals in the league so far.
Barca head to the capital in impressive form, winning six of seven matches in all competitions since suffering their last defeat, while outscoring their opponents by a combined 18-3 during that run.
‘The Madrid way, of course, is to go through the gears and score as many as possible, so when Benitez drew his first friendly 0-0 with Roma (they ended up losing on penalties) he was quickly under scrutiny’.
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Benitez likewise stated playmaker James Rodriguez was ready to play despite coming off two complete video games with Colombia.
