Will Barcelona make a disappointing week even more difficult or are they ready to find the energy to take a giant step towards a 28th Spanish league title - that's the million-dollar question ahead of the much-awaited "el clasico" in La Liga...
Barca is coming off a painful elimination by Inter in the semi-finals, a two-legged tie in which even six goals scored by the Italian champions did not earn them a ticket to the Munich final, but a win in today's clash with Real Madrid would in a way be the ideal remedy, as three points with three rounds remaining would almost certainly mean the end of the race for the title. Because, the team Hansia Flick Today's duel (16.15:XNUMX PM at Montjuic) awaits with four points more than the chosen ones Carlo Ancelotti.
- We have enough energy to win the game - Flick replied when asked about the team's condition after playing 120 minutes in Milan on Tuesday.
Barça has defeated its biggest rival in all three of their matches this season. They won the league 4-0 in Madrid, the Super Cup final in Jeddah was 5-2, and 15 days ago they won the Copa del Rey trophy over Real Madrid with a 3-2 victory in Seville.
- Every "el clasico" is very important, and so is this one with a big stake. Would I be satisfied with a point? The table is not our concern at the moment, we only think about going out on the pitch and winning. We want to have the right attitude from the first minute, to show confidence because the elimination from the Champions League did not shake us. And there we showed how good a team we are - said the German.
He will not be in the Barça squad. Gilles Cunde, Alejandro Balde i Robert Lewandowski they have recovered.
- I don't believe Balde and Lewandowski will play from the start. They will get minutes in the second half - Flick pointed out.
There is no dilemma even among the tripods, although Mark-Andre ter Stegen recovered and defended in the last round.
- He will be in goal. Vojceh Šcensni"We are satisfied with his performances this season," the former Bayern coach said briefly.
Flik is aware that Real Madrid are coming to Montjuic to significantly improve their chances of defending the title. And they can only do that by winning...
- We know how Real can hurt us, we also played in the Copa del Rey final recently. We have to be prepared for various "traps" in the game, but there is no reason to be afraid. The players live for these kinds of games and I can see in the boys' eyes that they are very motivated - added Flick.
In Madrid, the situation is completely different. Real Madrid is preparing for a reconstruction, no matter how the season ends, and there will be changes on the bench. Carlo Angelotti he's going, it could happen tomorrow if he loses "el clasico", everything is going towards him succeeding him Xabi Alonso.
The "Blancos" still have a chance to make the year successful, but first they have to knock out Barca in Catalonia.
- If the players listen to me and pay attention to some details, we will win - Ancelotti is confident.
Rodrigo is returning to the Real Madrid team, but the real problems are in the back line - he is missing Antonio Ridiger, David Alaba i Ferland Mendy, they have been out of the team for a long time Eder Militao, David Alaba i Dani Carvajal.
- Barça is a team that forces you to be on the wing of your goalkeeper, but nobody is perfect. There are many things in the game that we have to do very well, and one of them is to be compact in defense. I know we have a chance, but we have to impose ourselves - said Ancelotti.
Real, however, has not imposed itself against Barca once this season.
- Both teams have a lot to lose in this "el clasico". Barça is certainly ahead in the title race, but if we win then our chances become greater - concluded Ancelotti.
Both Barca and Real are in very good form in La Liga as they have won their last four games.
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