They have been in the past in the situation that the Barça players will find themselves in this afternoon. They have lived through the pressure and motivation of wearing the Blaugrana shirt. They know what it’s like to experience a classic from the inside. Five former players from the Blaugrana team such as Migueli, Carrasco, Bonano, Goicoetxea and Miquel Soler (who also played for Madrid) analyze this Sunday’s match at the Bernabeu for La Vanguardia. They imagine a Barça that will maintain its style and that must overcome the blow of being almost out of the Champions League. They see Xavi Hernández’s team capable of winning, as they did last season, but they believe they have to improve on his latest performances.
MIQUEL SOLER: For Barcelona, ??the most important thing will be not conceding the first goal of the match so as not to trail behind, something that would benefit Madrid’s tactical richness, which can play to have the ball or not have it… In addition, the Barcelona fans must hold , nullify or minimize the left flank of Madrid’s attack, that is, Vinícius (remember that Barça will not have Vinícius’s nemesis, which is Araújo). Barça must also try to finish plays and maintain pressure after an effective loss in the rival field. On the other hand, you should not forget to make tactical fouls so as not to let Madrid run. And avoid lateral fouls or corners.
FRANCISCO JOSÉ CARRASCO: Put up an eleven with fast players in all lines and tell Frenkie de Jong to take charge of the team. Bet on Ansu Fati leaving him three or four games in a row in the starting lineup and not letting Madrid run (Vinícius and Fede Valverde). Score first and follow Xavi’s plan.
JON ANDONI GOICOETXEA: I think that Barça have to play very much in their style, have the ball and move it quickly to tire Madrid. Not having the ball for the sake of having it but to do damage, being direct in the last meters of the field, a bit like they did the previous season at the Bernabeu. I think that Barça will seek to repeat that match pattern.
ROBERTO BONANO: Don’t make mistakes in the defensive zone and inside your own area, effectively end all possession of the ball and be lethal in the opponent’s area.
MIGUELI: There is no key, what is true is that you have to go out very motivated and have fun and not create pressure.
MIQUEL SOLER: It may affect them because they arrive with bad feelings, with less confidence or self-esteem and weak in defense. Xavi has to do a great mental job and remind them of last year’s game and how the victory was forged, although I don’t think Carlo Ancelotti will make the mistake of experimenting with the team again as he did last year by placing Luka Modric as a striker.
FRANCISCO JOSÉ CARRASCO: Let them look at the league standings and assume the poor performance shown in recent games. Defending with the ball, Barça is stronger than without it.
JON ANDONI GOICOETXEA: It’s normal that in the hours after the game against Inter the players were touched because it was a stick but as a game as special as the classic approaches, the players turn the page and get into this challenge.
ROBERTO BONANO: It should serve as learning and encouragement to reverse the bad feelings in “sports hunger.”
MIGUELI: I don’t think it affects him since they are different games with different opponents, but there is always a rivalry. With this you motivate yourself.
MIQUEL SOLER: I think that, according to Xavi Hernández’s ideology, he will attack and attack through more or less long possessions, with wide open wingers and dominance of the midfield with his superiority in that area. Although it is true that the threat of Vinícius could condition his classic game plan and not go to press so high in Madrid’s ball exit.
FRANCISCO JOSÉ CARRASCO: Courageous and very focused on preventive defense while attacking.
JON ANDONI GOICOETXEA: I am convinced that Barça will come out highly motivated and focused to try to get rid of Wednesday’s disappointment and in such a special game. In addition, Xavi has fresh people and he will surely make some changes. The presence of Koundé would be important but he can also bet on De Jong, Ansu, Ferran Torres… he has a great squad even though he is suffering defensively with casualties.
ROBERTO BONANO: Respecting the philosophy and idiosyncrasies of football and with an exacerbated competitive spirit knowing the difficulty he faces.
MIGUELI: Barça must go out for the match with their style of play but with quick ball circulation. You must maintain the tone because lately we go out with desire and then we go off
