Luis Enrique Confident of El Clasico Success

Luis Enrique says that Barcelona are ready for the El Clasico, despite suffering badly from the Champions League exit at the hands of Juventus.

A 3-0 aggregate loss against the Italian club sees a lot of pressure on Enrique in his final season at the club. He has already announced his exit from Barcelona at the end of the campaign. After having already won the Champions League earlier in his time at Barcelona, the manager would have been hoping for a similar success his final season. Now it has gone out of the hands, the club must focus on the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey.

Yet, the La Liga title looks to be the tougher of the two with Barcelona group in three points behind Real Madrid, who have a game in hand, with only six matches left in the season. In order to have any chance of winning the title from this position, the club will have to win the El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, but it is easier said than done.

Real Madrid are on an excellent run of form and they have failed to win just two of the last nine league matches. Barcelona have also been beaten in four out of the last six games on the road.

Despite these conditions, Enrique remains confident of succeeding against Madrid.“Barca have a team built to compete, to win trophies and to face every challenge.It is clear we are very hurt to be eliminated from a competition that excites us so much, but now comes a key game against the leaders and a direct rival.We have to get ready to compete and I am sure we will do that," said Enrique. If Barcelona do lose against Madrid, the gap could extend to six points and potentially to 9 point if Madrid win the game in hand.