Guardiola Plays Clasico Underdog

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola says Real Madrid are stronger than last season ahead of Saturday's first league El Clasico of the season.

While Guardiola gave his views, Madrid coach Jose Mourinho opted to send his assistant to speak to the media.

Real have won 12 of their first 14 league games and lead the Catalans by three points with a game in hand.

Guardiola said: "We have more at stake, and whoever is behind in the standings always feels a little more pressure."

Since Guardiola took charge, Barcelona have dominated Madrid with seven wins and three draws against only one loss across all competitions.

But the Barca coach feels Saturday's match at the Bernabeu could be their biggest test yet.

"They are stronger than they were last year," he said. "They know each other better, they have spent more time together and know what their coach demands of them.

"Above all we have to defend well, be quick with the transitions and pay attention to factors like the circulation of the ball. It will not be easy because they have a very intense game."

In the league Madrid have scored 49 goals in 14 games, and assistant coach Aitor Karanka said they would play an aggressive, attacking game with three forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria alongside either Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain.

Barcelona had the better of last season's tussles, thrashing Real 5-0 in the league and knocking their rivals out of the Champions League. Real's only victory in the last seven meetings came in last season's Copa del Rey final but Barca gained revenge with a 5-4 aggregate victory in the Spanish Super Cup.

"It is not just a match like any other," Karanka said.

"But we are not going to change our way of working whatever the result is tomorrow.

"We could have a lead of four, six or nine points, that would not change our principles. We have to go after the three points like we always do."

MESSI V RONALDO

Messi has 17 goals in 15 league starts this season, while Ronaldo has 17 in 14 games

In all competitions Messi has 27 goals in 23 matches, compared to Ronaldo's 21 in 20

Messi has 207 goals in 292 games in his Barcelona career, while Ronaldo has 107 in 109 for Madrid

Messi has won the Fifa Ballon d'Or for the past two years, while Ronaldo won it in 2008

Pique Points at Jose Mourinho

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique accused Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho of “destroying Spanish football” after an ill-tempered denouement to the Supercup final that saw three players sent off and Cesc Fabregas’s debut for the Catalans overshadowed by a mass brawl.

Jose Mourinho, as he was in both England and Italy, has quickly become a contentious figure in Spain and under his watch last season Real had four men sent off in five games against their rivals.

Barcelona took the silverware last night as a Lionel Messi brace secured a late 3-2 victory but there was still time for another Real red card as a brutal challenge from Marcelo on Fabregas saw him dismissed in the closing moments.

A huge melee unfolded involving players, substitutes and staff from both sides, with Mesut Ozil and David Villa both shown red despite having already been substituted.

Mourinho, meanwhile, may come under scrutiny for his role in the fracas as he was pictured heading towards Barca coach Tito Vilanova and making contact with his face.

Vilanova responded by pushing Mourinho, who walked away grinning.

After the game Pique fumed at the Portuguese’s actions.

“I do not talk about the brawl. But it’s a shame, it is not the first time and it’s always the same,” said the defender.

“Someone has to take action on the matter. Mourinho is destroying Spanish football. There is talk about the Catalans, but the problem is with Madrid. “

“I think it’s going too far. It cannot always end well. In the end this will end very badly.”

Mourinho’s opposite number Pep Guardiola did not wade into the issue but had a word of caution for those involved in the tense atmosphere on the pitch.

“The images speak for themselves,” he told Marca.

“We must be careful, because one day we will cause harm, not on the field but off, and we’re all a little responsible for this. “

Karanka Expects Better Clasico for Real

Aitor Karanka and Jose Mourinho

Assistant Coach Aitor Karanka addressed the media prior to La Liga's Clasico against Barcelona at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

"The team has improved in many aspects. We've been working together a longer time, so the team knows itself better. We are in good physical form. We've used the time since the previous Clasico to grow and mature as a side."

"We're always a team above individual efforts. The final stretch of the season is truly thrilling given the number of titles at stake. Being at Real Madrid means you're ready for anything, especially games like these."

"We'll have to wait to see how our men are tomorrow. We will use the best lineup to win the match and keep our options to winning the title alive. The three points at stake are what matters most right now and Real Madrid will try their best to take them from the start of the game. Tomorrow's match is of greater importance because it is our next. One of the keys to our success is to focus on one game at a time."

"Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world and he always wants to score. He will score the following game if he fails to do so tomorrow. It doesn't matter if he doesn't do that either. He wants Real Madrid to win their games; scoring just makes it better."

"Despite its greatness, Real Madrid haven't been able to fight for three titles at this stage in the season for a long time. It's logical for them to be in this situation given their history. We worked hard all year to be here right now."

"We hear the opinion of Madridismo at the stadium every week and on the streets. Fans want Real Madrid to be where they now are. They don't want their team to be eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Second Division B sides, nor do they want it to be eliminated from the Champions League in the Round of 16. They want a coach who works on a daily basis and proves he is 100% devoted to the club. They also want us to fight to win every title at the end of the campaign."