Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who has been a major reason behind the club’s great start to the season, says that he wants to be behind yet another Real Madrid defeat. The former Sevilla man has already been on the winning team against Madrid. His Sevilla side managed a 2-1 win over Carlo Ancelotti’s men last season. Barcelona will be going into the first El Clasico of the season in an imperious form especially in terms of league. They have yet to concede a league goal this season, which is a new record.
Real Madrid, however, are well equipped to end this record, as they boast an impressive forward line-up with the league’s top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo. Madrid come on the back of a 3-0 victory against Liverpool in the Champions League. More crucially, they have had one less day to recover from the midweek exertions since Barcelona played their Champions League match against Ajax one day earlier. Ronaldo has pointed out to this fact in his pre-match press conference. Rakitic, though, is looking to take advantage of the situation.
After failing to win the league title last season, Barcelona are in a great position this time around. They already have a four-point advantage over Madrid and could stretch it to 7 with a win at the Santiago Bernebeu. "I know matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid are more heated than other games and that they are different. I've been fortunate enough to beat Madrid when I played for Sevilla and that's the way I want to continue with Barcelona. It is not important to talk about the table in November or December. There are no easy games. We have to fight hard in each game,” said Rakitic. Luis Suarez has been confirmed to return to the first-team action after four months on the sidelines due to suspension.