Real Madrid take on Barcelona this Saturday in the first El Clasico of the season . . . .

Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka has played down the importance of the first Clasico of the season and insisted the Primera Division leaders will not alter their approach to end Barcelona's recent superiority in the fixture.

Madrid have won their last 10 La Liga games, 15 in all competitions, and go into the fixture looking down on their arch rivals. They have a three-point advantage at the summit and a game in hand.

But when they go head to head it is invariably the Catalans who come out on top - Barca have lost only one of their 11 meetings since Pep Guardiola took charge in 2008 and have never lost under his stewardship at the Bernabeu.

It all adds up to another tasty encounter although Karanka, standing in for Jose Mourinho, claimed it was just another game.

The one-time Spain defender told reporters at a press conference: "We are in good shape. It is just one more game and we will not change our way of doing things.

"It is true they are a direct rival but that does not change anything. There are three points at stake and that will not change.''

Madrid could be forgiven for having conflicting thoughts ahead of the game. A draw would preserve their advantage, a win would put them in a very strong position even at this early stage while a defeat would see Barca regain a foothold in the title race before they head off to the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

Karanka, however, is clear how Madrid will approach a game which will be viewed worldwide.

"We did not go for the draw against Ajax (in the Champions League in midweek). We went out to win even though we had already qualified,'' he said.

"It is clear that if we win our position will improve but that will not change the way we work.''

Karanka said Madrid would adopt an attacking formation - confirming the belief that the best way to beat Barca is by getting at their sometimes suspect defence.

"Let's play to win with a 4-3-3 formation with Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (Angel) Di Maria in support of (Karim) Benzema or (Gonzalo) Higuain,'' he said.

"In the centre we have several options and it is important that the 11 are right for this game.''

Madrid's only absentee is the injured Ricardo Carvalho while Mourinho's main selection dilemma concerns whether to go for Benzema or Higuain in attack.

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta talked up his own team before the contest, declaring them the best Barca side he has ever played in.

The 27-year-old, whose goal handed Spain victory over Holland in the 2010 World Cup final, told www.fifa.com: "I believe this is the best Barca team I've ever played in.

"That's down to the way our play evolves, with the teams getting stronger every year. The challenge facing us is to improve day after day, year after year, something we've done in every respect - tactically, physically and technically. That's the way it has to be in football.

"The team of 2006 were better than the class of 2001, and this year's team are the best yet.''

On the debate over Barca's formation - Guardiola has varied between 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 this season - Iniesta is comfortable with both and puts that down to the schooling he received at the club's famed La Masia academy.

"We try to work on variations in so far as we can, because we have so many games,'' said Iniesta.

"We take advantage of training games and even official matches [to work on these].

"However, many of us in the current squad are already familiar with the 3-4-3 variant from our time playing youth football, so it's not that new for us.

"This familiarity means we can adapt to it quite naturally. Having tactical alternatives for any given match scenario or opponent is important.''

Guardiola, however, is likely to err on the side of caution and revert to four at the back, although one of the centre-halves could be Javier Mascherano, who is more accustomed to playing in a midfield role.

i trust pepe and marcelo pure rebels

Real Madrid to take this by fox

the usual diving suspects will be on full force, david villa, dani alvez, pedro, messi  . , and the rest  

Madrid shld win dis match

Am fully in support of BARCA, FORZA MILAN!!!

The game will end 1-3 in favour of Barca. Goals from Messi, Xavi & Alexis will see the Catalans through.

[color=#990000][/color]
I smell blood and it sure doesnt have the dank xteristics of mardrid's. I have this creepy premonition Barca will fall.

Just Cant Wait to see this match!!!

"If memory serves me well, last season we lost to Barcelona after facing Ajax. You never know in football; there are always surprises, but right now we feel more confident and tighter. We are a better team than last season."
-------------Jose Mourinho

HMMN anor synchronized diving match / WWE slugfest to watch.

one team keeps diving like swans, the other loses their temper and keeps on behaving like Mushin thugs.  and they will call it the best match ever 

Thriller, yes!

Tough, yes!

Entertaining, yes!

Real Madrid will be fielding a very improved team from last year. I think Barca has much to fear from this present Real Madrid team. I am only being objective here.
Mourinho sure has blood on his mind while Guardiola has a reputation to protect.
Barca will be playing to maintain their rep as the better team while Real is on a mission not just to defeat but demystify Barca.

Cant wait to see my Merciless Messi frustrating the defenders of Madrid, Up barcelona up messi, Sanchez,Villa,

I fit bet on Barcelona, If u feel like betting call 08163283854, Note betting is cash and it start from 6million naira, If u fit get am,

This most awaited match of the season. Barca will use this opportunity to show they're still the Superior club side of the moment. I expect to see one side get much Red cards for the brutality they'll display tomorrow, although it has always been their way of play whenever they meet us but notwithstanding we come with so much determination to thrash them once more. BARCA PARA TODA LA VIDA,

voted madrid.

Madrid

www.nairaland.com/attachments/590311_realmadridvsbarca_getty_630_jpg1dd3178fde71db2ab1fbc2a15b1fbd59


Who will chain Messi?   I smell another comprehensive beating after a sending off of one of those leg breakers.  Barca is it.

Hala Madrid

why bother watching?
we already know the winner
MADRID!

iHala Madrid!!!

Another smashing Barca win

*Licking my lips*

Madrid are in form this season no doubt but their style has not changed and very predictable. Take out cr7 and their game is up. Barcelona coming into this game have peaked in form and thats much to fear. Will see the madridistas and epl apologists after the game.

Another warm-up match for Barca.

Madrid is no doubt in their topmost form. They've scored d highest no of goals in d whole world dis season, all dia players are in dia best shape, but barca aint gonna sit down and watch madrid take dia pound of flesh on dem. Its definitely gonna be a cracker, but I give it to d catalan giants

throw my support for Madrid, this barcelona team don try abeg

I give it to Real Madrid on current form. However, it is going to be thrilling and what have you.
For more on the el-clasico read and make your comment on www.footballfile.com
it is incisive and has all the statistics.