Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has called for unity on Wednesday El Clasico in amid of fears the world’s most popular football match could be defaced by Catalan independence protests. The real fixture at Camp Nou must be postponed because of uproars in October and further showings are normal when Real and Barca play for the La Liga’s top recognize this week. Valverde said in a press conference “Football has to be for everyone, all over the world,” on Tuesday.
Individuals should be able to express the opinion themselves liberally tomorrow, that is the thing what we ask, however that there is respect for everybody. He accepts that is the correct thing.
Majority of the protesting people in favour of Catalan independence has called publicly for its supporters to gether at the stadium 4 hours before kick-off at 7 pm GMT.
He is very happy to play a Clasico. It was a similar when he was a player, these are the matches other live for, and they are focused only on what happens on the field. Valverde added that “We are centered on what concerns us; we are not pondering what occurs off the pitch.”
Barcelona and Real sit 1st and 2nd in the league and level on points, with the Catalans just ahead on goal difference. Both the team have shown their form in recent weeks, partially because of the excellent form of their strikers. Karim Benzema has 9 goals in his last 8 games while Lionel Messi has scored 14 of every 12.
Zidane said “We know we are facing a very good team, we know the player they have in Messi, but we also have our weapons”. Barca will also enjoyed the rest for few more days before the game after they drew away at Sociedad on Saturday before Real were held by Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday.
Lucas Vazquez, Madrid’s Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Marcelo, and James Rodriguez will all miss the match through injury. Gareth Bale is fit again yet has not begun since Real’s success once again Alaves on November 30.
Zidane said “Bale is with us, he is training well and he is an important player, tomorrow he will be prepared like everyone else”. Valverde said Arthur Melo is probably not going to be ready in time from an adductor issue.
