It’s almost Christmas time but Barcelona and Real Madrid are only thinking of winning El Clasico.
There are still some concern with security around the Nou Camp but everyone believes this game must go ahead tonight.
Ernesto Valverde has confirmed that he will use the same squad who drew 2-2 against Real Sociedad in the last weekend, without Arthur Melo and Ousmane Dembele.
While Real Madrid are riddled with injury problems, as they will travel to Barcelona without Marcelo, Eden Hazard, Lucas Vazquez, James Rodriguez, Alvaro Odriozola, Brahim and Mariano Diaz.
The pressure is different for both side, with Barcelona wanting to beat Real to go three points clear at the top of LaLiga.
Zinedine Zidane is facing a monumental challenge, especially making sure Lionel Messi doesn’t get the ball.
“It’s a football match and that’s the important thing,” he told Marca.
“We know what we’re facing, we know they have Messi, but we also have our weapons.
“We want to play a good match against Barcelona, who also hope to do the same.”
For Valverde, it will still be a difficult game since some of them will play El Clasico for the time.
“Every Clasico is difficult. This will be the first Clasico for some of our players. This match has special connotations. It is played at a different level and you notice the importance even from the tunnel.
“This is the first half of the season and there are many matches to go, but both teams would like to be ahead after this match. The fact both teams are level on points means that this league season is very finely balanced.
“Real Madrid often approach the matches here with intensity, while we’ve achieved good results in the Clasicos away from home.”
It will be a great game nonetheless, as Barcelona play Real Madrid at 3.00 Malaysia time.