By Tseyi Agharaye
Real Madrid will be looking to avenge their 3-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Barcelona when they face off for the second time in four days in El Clasico on Saturday night.
Luis Suarez’s two goals and a Raphael Varane own goal resulted in an embarrassing night for Real in front of the Bernabeu supporters on Wednesday night.
But now attention turns back to La Liga as Real look to close a nine-point gap on their fierce rivals. The last time the two sides met in the league, Barcelona beat Real Madrid 5-1 and brought to end the reign of former Real’s coach, Julen Lopetegui.
Real boss, Santiago Solari is optimistic his side can bounce back against Barca despite their heavy loss in midweek.
“We’re back on our feet, wanting to pick up more points,” he said.
“The fixture list and destiny wanted us to be up against the same opponents, again the big Clasico of Spanish football.
“We’re going into it with the same desire and the same spirit as in the previous match, trying to improve the things we must improve and to sustain the things we did well. It’s very nice to see the Bernabeu at its best like the other day. “We have to always think about the next game, regardless of whether it’s the Clasico.”
It has been a weird season for both Barcelona and Real Madrid as both teams as not been consistent when compared to previous season. Last week Messi was the saviour against Sevilla scoring a hat trick in their 4-2 victory in Seville.
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is expecting another difficult game against Real.
He said: “It’s difficult to repeat a result against the same opponent, but we will try to win because the league demands it.
“When you win, you gain confidence, but when you lose you want to reverse that, so it will be a tough match.”
Meanwhile, Marcos Llorente is a doubt for Real Madrid due to a muscular issue. Raphael Varane also suffered a nasty cut to his knee in the Copa del Rey clash, but he is expected to be fit to start at the Bernabeu.
Valverde has no fresh injury concerns from the Barca team that started on Wednesday night.
Four days after looking uncalibrated, by their high standards, Real Madrid players have to live up expectation in this El Classico duel. Expect some fireworks in this one.
What are your predictions? Let us know in the comment section below.
I like the article
I like the article
I enjoy the report