“Messi’s feelings since he rejoined the group have been positive and he is working at the rhythm of the group, but we still have to train today and then we will talk”, Enrique said on yesterday.
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Lionel Messi’s return from injury looks to be coming at exactly the right time for Barcelona as he prepares for a reunion with Neymar and Luis Suarez for Saturday’s game. “I’ll speak to him today and tomorrow, and an hour before, things will be decided”. We know he won’t be 100 percent fit, that’s impossible. They have a lot of players who could or couldn’t play, but we go into this game the same as we do against other teams.
Barca, who are three points clear at the top of the table, are set to welcome back Lionel Messi from injury, but Benitez did not appear too concerned by the possible return of the Argentina superstar. There has not been a goalless clasico for 18 matches. “We’re not focused on the rival and we try to do things the way we need to do them”. “I’ve got a winning side, with room to grow”. It is a clash of La Liga heavyweights in Real Madrid and Barcelona that draws a Super Bowl-sized audience.
We’ve used Football Manager to sim what would happen if, at the beginning of the season, Ronaldo and Messi had swapped clubs.
Madrid, unbeaten at home in 22 La Liga games, lost its first match of the season two weeks ago at Sevilla and arrives at the clasico three points behind Barcelona in the league standings.
The last match between these two at the Bernabéu saw Real Madrid run out 3-1 winners thanks to Ronaldo, Pepe and Benzema. Benitez also said that, “for the second time”, everyone is fit which makes him happy because it brings optimism for the future.
In the eight La Liga and Champions League games he has missed, Neymar has scored 10 goals and Luis Suarez has netted eight.
Sevilla travel in the wake of their fine win over Real Madrid, while Real Sociedad coach Eusebio Sacristan makes his debut following the sacking of David Moyes.
Benitez also confirmed the fitness of captain Sergio Ramos and goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
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“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.
