News
THU 01.12.2016
Carles Puyol gave us the lowdown on #ElClasico just hours before the gaze of the entire world falls on the Camp Nou this Saturday. "It's a special game. You're playing against your biggest rivals and these games almost always play a big role in deciding the title, even though all of the points count," explained the LaLiga ambassador. "But it's the match that you wait all year for. There's no lack of preparation because everyone is fired up for it," added the former FC Barcelona player.
Puyol holds plenty of memories of #ElClasico, and many of them leave a sweet taste in his mouth. "I've experienced all kinds of them. Some of them went well and others didn't, but obviously I remember the ones that went well the best, like the 6-2 win at the Santiago Bernabeu or the 5-0 win at the Camp Nou." Puyol also said, "A Barça v Real Madrid game is a global event. If you're travelling or you go to cities abroad and you ask people, there's always a division between the two teams."
Puyol discussed the current state of his former team as well. "The last league game wasn't good, but that doesn't make any difference because this match is special. The current form of one team or the other has nothing to do with it." The LaLiga ambassador recalled, "In my playing days, we could go into the game on good form and them not so much, and everyone was talking about a drubbing, but in the end it was a really tough match and it was difficult to claim the points. And it works the other way too. They can go into the game on good form and Barcelona not so much, and it's different." Puyol continued, "It will be a match apart. They both have great players and coaches and I hope we are treated to a great spectacle, although obviously I'd prefer it if Barcelona win."
The LaLiga ambassador also talked about Andres Iniesta's importance. "We're talking about one of the best players in the world – a massive player for Barcelona, a big part of their style of play and someone with a wealth of experience." Puyol went on to say that "in these games it's very important to control your nerves because everyone's emotions are running high and you have to go out onto the pitch and isolate yourself from everything around you, and Andres has a lot of experience with that and can be a decisive player in every sense."
As for Sergio Busquets, Puyol is under no illusions. "As far as I'm concerned, he's the best midfielder in the world – a key player for Barcelona and their style of play." The former centre-back also noted, "You can't be at your very best in every match. Everyone has their ups and downs, but he averages an eight." Puyol also added that "when things or results aren't going your way, people always look for someone to blame and the more experienced or more important players always come under a little more pressure."
© LALIGA - 2016
