Barcelona boss Xavi has branded Saturday’s contest with Real Madrid “a very important game” and has called on his side to “be brave” in the first meeting of the season between the two teams.
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys – Barcelona’s temporary home – will host El Clasico this weekend, with the two sides locking horns for the first time since April, when Real Madrid beat the Catalan side 4-0 in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
Real Madrid are currently top of the La Liga table on 25 points, one clear of third-placed Barcelona, with the reigning champions unbeaten in all competitions this season.
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The title will not be won or lost this weekend, but Xavi has refused to play down the importance of the contest, even at this early stage of the campaign.
“For us, it means a lot, it’s the game that everyone wants to play, we arrive well, it would mean a boost in morale and confidence and we would overtake a direct rival,” the Barcelona boss said during his press conference.
“It’s an important game, a very important game, with a tremendous commitment. Everyone wants to play and wants to prove themselves.
“The obligation is the same for both clubs. It’s 50-50. There is hardly ever a favourite. You can’t predict anything. In my experience, the Clasico is unpredictable.
“It’s one of the biggest rivalries for sure, in Argentina they’ll tell you River [Plate]-Boca [Juniors], in Seville [Real] Betis-Sevilla, the Basque derby (Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao)… the biggest match at club level for sure.
“Everyone will be watching. It’s the ideal stage for great things. These are the games we always dreamed of when we were kids. Let’s be brave and go for it.”
Lamine Yamal is being tipped to start this weekend, and when asked whether any youngsters will be included in the first XI, Xavi said: “Those who are at their best will play, those who are 100%, what we can’t do is put someone who isn’t, today they felt good and we’ll see.
“We’ve talked about it many times, the homegrown players are a plus. Because of their involvement and commitment, because they feel the colours. Having people from La Masia is fantastic because they know about the rivalry, it’s fundamental.”
Barcelona had Jules Kounde, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong in training on Friday, with all five seemingly now in contention for El Clasico.
Joao Felix is also fit despite suffering an injury scare against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, meaning that Sergi Roberto is currently the team’s only confirmed absentee for the La Liga contest.