Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola believes his Spanish champions have more to lose than fierce rival Real Madrid during Saturday’s highly anticipated “clasico” match in the capital.
Barcelona trails league leader Madrid by three points despite having played an extra game and can ill afford to fall further behind approaching the season’s midway point.
Yet regardless of his team’s position in the table, Guardiola still appeared confident that his side would stay true to its attacking style at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“We will go out to win,” said Guardiola. “We have to be solid in defense, quick in our transitions and pay attention to many things against a team that is very intense and presses a lot.”
Since Guardiola took charge, Barcelona has dominated Madrid with seven wins and three draws against only one loss across all competitions—collecting 12 trophies to Madrid’s one.
Guardiola, however, placed very little value in his impressive record as he tries to remain undefeated in seven straight league meetings against Madrid.
“What happened before are just numbers, they don’t help you win in the least,” he said. “We are going to the leader’s stadium with the idea of seeing who is better. Whichever team plays better on that given day will win.”
A squad with more strength in depth has allowed Guardiola to constantly tinker with both his lineup and formation this season.
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