Barca take on big-game mentality

Barca defender Javier Mascherano says he and his team-mates will approach El Clasico against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou as they would a ‘big final’.

The Catalans, 6/4 to be crowned Spanish champions this season, go into the game on Saturday afternoon trailing the men from Madrid by six points, knowing that defeat could all but spell the end of their La Liga title hopes, even at this relatively early stage of the campaign.

It’s still just a game of football with three points to play for.

Javier Mascherano

And Mascherano is only too aware of just how important the game could be, telling his club’s official website: “It’s different to any other game, that’s because there are so many circumstances involved that make it more than simply a football match.

“And yet that is what it is. It’s still just a game of football with three points to play for.

“Tactically, the boss prepares for this game like any other, but perhaps some of us start playing this game ‘mentally’ much earlier than we would normally. It’s like the build-up to a big final.

Visitors Real will be missing Welsh superstar Gareth Bale due to an ankle injury, while playmaker Toni Kroos is not yet ready for action because of a foot problem.

Barca, meanwhile, are waiting on tests on defensive duo Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba, but skipper Andres Iniesta and centre-back Samuel Umtiti are expected to be available to head coach Luis Enrique.

Four of the last five league meetings in the Camp Nou between the powerhouses of Spanish football have ended in a 2-1 scoreline, with Cristiano Ronaldo netting the winner five minutes from time in this fixture last season.

Barcelona can be backed at 15/2 to win 2-1 on Saturday, with Real priced at 14/1 to claim a 2-1 victory of their own, while Ronaldo is available at 11/10 to score at any time.