Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola, assessing the El Clasico match this weekend will be more difficult for his team than the previous issue. According to Guardiola, Real Madrid is now more powerful and more compact.
Guardiola's assessment could be based on performance displayed Madrid this season. So far, in the Spanish League, Los Merengues are very stable with scooped up 12 victories in 14 matches. They are also being topped the standings with three points clear of Barca.
"We have more at stake, and whoever is left behind in the standings board has always felt more pressure," the BBC quoted me Guardiola.
Guardiola's assessment could be based on performance displayed Madrid this season. So far, in the Spanish League, Los Merengues are very stable with scooped up 12 victories in 14 matches. They are also being topped the standings with three points clear of Barca.
"We have more at stake, and whoever is left behind in the standings board has always felt more pressure," the BBC quoted me Guardiola.
Since the deal with Barca, Guardiola actually have a good record in a duel contra Madrid in all competitions. Under his direction, the Catalans won seven times, the series three times, and only lost once.
However, the duel at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday (11/12/2011) pm dawn, seems to give different pressure to Guardiola.
"They (Madrid) was more powerful than last year. They already know each other, they've spent more time together, and they know what prompted their coach," said Guardiola.
"Above all, we should be holding up well, quick in transition, and pay attention to factors such as circulation of the ball. That will not be easy because they are very strong," he said.