“We know how to beat Real Madrid” - Barcelona superstar fires warning ahead of El Clasico
Barcelona superstar Robert Lewandowski has warned Real Madrid ahead of their upcoming El Clasico in La Liga on Sunday (April 21). The two sides are returning to domestic football after a contrasting midweek in Europe.
Barca were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), with a Ronald Araujo red card throwing them in the lurch. The Blaugrana had secured a 3-2 away win in the first leg but could not build on it in the second leg in front of home fans. Although they did score first in the second leg, playing with only ten men saw them concede four goals.
Madrid had better fortunes as they saw off defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad. The English giants showed up at the Santiago Bernabei a week earlier, with the first leg ending 3-3. The second leg ended in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, but Carlo Ancelotti's men prevailed on penalties.
While Barcelona might be turning up for El Clasico eager to prove themselves, Real Madrid will likely show up with tired legs after playing 120 minutes. However, with the game taking place at the Santiago Bernabeu, Los Blancos will have the home advantage.
But this hasn't stopped Robert Lewandowski from firing a warning at them. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona striker claimed (via Barca Centre):
"We know how to beat Real Madrid. We know them and we have analyzed the mistakes we made the last time we faced each other."
Xavi Hernandez spurs Barcelona on ahead of Real Madrid El Clasico
Barcelona have been knocked out of every competition this season and their only remaining trophy hope is from La Liga. However, it currently looks unlikely that they would win the league as they sit eight points behind leaders Real Madrid, with only six games remaining.
While Los Blancos are not expected to falter domestically, as they now have one hand on the title, Barca will be looking to disrupt their plans. Xavi Hernandez claimed as much, as he spurred his side on ahead of the El Clasico outing.
Speaking to the press before the game, the Barcelona manager said (via Reuters):
"On Sunday we are playing for the league title. We have to win. We have to manage our feelings and move on, let the frustration and impotence of the other day (elimination from the Champions League) which are difficult to digest turn in our favour. We will have a morale-strengthened Real Madrid in front of us."
The Madridistas will be looking to see off their Catalan counterparts as they continue to chase the double of La Liga UEFA Champions League.