Barcelona manager Hansi Flick keen to send statement with win at Santiago Bernabeu in El Clasico | OneFootball

Barcelona come into El Clasico three points clear of rivals Real Madrid, knowing that they could put clear distance between themselves and Los Blancos in La Liga. Clearly a motivation for Carlo Ancelotti’s side is to ensure that does not happen, but Hansi Flick is keen to send out a statement at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Catalan giants come into the game in good form, and Sport say that he has been pleasantly surprised by the speed at which his players have taken on board the concepts he has tried to convey. The fact that his early success has been achieved in spite of a number of injuries and by virtue of a number of La Masia products is another reason for cheer in Can Barca.

The German manager is convinced that now is the time to make a statement at the Bernabeu with a win, and feels it would be a big blow to land in the title race. His Barcelona side are ahead of schedule in terms of points, and Flick is keen to get to the final months of the season with an advantage, and a win at the Bernabeu would allow for a surprise later on in the season. On top of that, with Los Blancos far from impressive at the moment, a win could deepen the doubts that currently exist in Madrid.

A win for Barcelona would be gold dust in the title race, but Real Madrid are best under pressure, and that will certainly be present on Saturday night. Los Blancos have won all four of the most recent Clasicos, and in theory, Barcelona’s high line will play to their strengths: releasing Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior in behind.