Luis Enrique believes Real Madrid’s problems have been exaggerated and insists Saturday’s Clasico will not prove decisive in the race for the Liga title.
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One of the biggest fixtures in world football will be played on Saturday evening when Real Madrid take on Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu.
If FC Barcelona is to win this match, they will remain top and go eight (8) points clear of their opponent.
Bravo turned a James shot around the post but Madrid was cut apart again on 53 minutes as Barcelona bagged a third. “And that’s what we will have to do”.
(Photo: Getty) Unfortunately, we don’t get Lionel Messi vs. Neymar in this game.
Messi returned to training during the global break and Luis Suarez had suggested earlier this week that the only remaining question was whether the four-time Ballon d’Or victor would start the game or come off the bench in the second half.
But he has not been deemed fit enough to play from kick-off as Enrique selected Roberto to play alongside the in-form pair of Luis Suarez and Neymar. “I’ll speak to him today and tomorrow, and an hour before, things will be decided”.
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is confident he is back to full fitness and says he is “ready for battle” when leaders and champions Barcelona visit in the La Liga “Clasico” on Saturday. “I do know that he has been waiting for this for a long time”. “But with or without him, it’s all good news”. “Both teams have players that can change any game”.
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.
He added: “Real Madrid have a way of playing, which is attacking and trying to score goals, and we do that regardless of the opposition”.
To Barcelona’s credit, they have shown that the team is more than just about Messi: winning every single game since he was sidelined, with Neymar stepping up to the plate.
Ronaldo has won the prestigious accolade for the past two seasons, but feels Messi’s treble win with Barcelona will make him the favorite to win.
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The El Clasico is Benitez’s first since taking over at Madrid in the summer and his Real team are now unbeaten at home in La Liga, although they lost their last league game away to Sevilla.
