Real Madrid vs Barcelona. Spanish La Liga.
Santiago BernabeuAttendance80,148.
Sunday 22 November 2015 09:14, UK
Andres Iniesta has reminded Real Madrid that Barcelona will be formidable, even if talisman Lionel Messi is unable to partake in El Clasico.
Argentine forward Messi has been out of action since September with a knee injury but he returned to training this week and will travel with the squad for Saturday's La Liga clash at the Bernabeu, live on Sky Sports 2 from 5pm.
"Let's hope he can play, whether that's from the start or not, because he's an essential player for us," Iniesta told the club's official website.
"We, nevertheless, have a competitive enough squad to compete with or without him in the team."
Messi, Barca's all-time leading scorer, netted 58 goals in all competitions last season in the club's Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble-winning campaign.
During his absence, Luis Suarez and Neymar have accounted for 20 of Barca's 23 goals, with Neymar now La Liga's leading scorer with 11 goals, two more than Suarez.
"Our form makes us feel confident," Iniesta added. "In our most recent games, we have been consistent in every sense.
"But we know that this won't be an easy match, it never is. Both teams have players that can change any game."
Saturday's showdown sees first and second in La Liga go head-to-head, with Luis Enrique's Barca side currently three points ahead of Real.
Barca last beat Real in the league at the Bernabeu in 2013/14 campaign with a 4-3 triumph, courtesy of a Messi hat-trick, but more memorable is their 6-2 thrashing of Real in Madrid in May 2009.
"You always remember when you win there and more so, if it's in that manner," Iniesta said. "But in order to win at the Bernabeu, you have to be at your best.
"We need to dominate the possession and not just create goalscoring chances but take them, too.
For only the second time this season, Real coach Rafa Benitez will have all of his players available for selection, including goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
A muscle injury forced the Costa Rica international, who has kept six clean sheets in nine league games, to miss Madrid's 3-2 defeat at Sevilla before the international break - Real's first loss under Benitez.
Misfiring Cristiano Ronaldo, who has failed to find the back of the net for two games, will be joined in attack by Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, who have recovered from muscular and calf injuries respectively.
And, speaking to the Real's official website, Bale revealed he was looking forward to the Clasico.
"I'm ready for battle," he said. "I'm certain you'll see an attacking game from both teams.
"It will be an even contest. It's always tough against them, but fingers crossed we're able to get more goals than them."
Watch El Clasico - Real Madrid v Barcelona - live on Saturday, 5pm, Sky Sports 2 HD
