Barcelona, March 21 (IANS) FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique insisted on Saturday that his team and Real Madrid have an equal chance of winning Sunday’s La Liga blockbuster match – the “El Clasico”.
Barcelona lead Real by one point at the top of the table and host their bitter rivals at the Camp Nou with experts saying the outcome of the match could determine who lifts the domestic title.
“The form book goes out of the window for the Clasico,” Pique was quoted as saying by BBC.
“Each side has a 50 per cent chance of winning. They have Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, two players that are very powerful, very fast, very dangerous in one-on-ones and who score goals.”
Real have clinched the last two Clasicos, and could make it three in a row for the first time since 1978.
However, Barcelona have not lost to their age-old rivals at home while topping the league since 1929-30.
Pique also termed it as a “special game”.
“This is one of the most special games of the year, because of the rivalry between us and because we’re usually playing for titles against them. They’re another great team, with great players and that makes it so much more special,” he said.
Barcelona have won nine of their last 10 La Liga games and Pique feels winning this match can get them closer to clinching the title this year.
“You feel stronger and more confident on the back of a run like the one we’ve been having.
Winning the Clasico would be a very important step forward. There are 10 games left and it’s very tight between us,” he concluded.