EL CLASICO

ALL OR NOTHING

REIGNING champions and La Liga leaders Barcelona host Real Madrid as Spain’s biggest sides butt heads once more on Sunday and it could spell the end of the line for Los Blancos coach Julen Lopetegui.

The Spaniard has endured a torrid time at the helm of Real Madrid in what is becoming a nightmare year, following his dismissal by Spain on the eve of the World Cup after he agreed to take the job at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Lopetegui’s Madrid are seventh after nine games, just four points behind leaders Barcelona, but after an eighthour goal drought tensions are frayed in the Spanish capital and it is said that a bad result at Camp Nou will result in his dismissal.

“Lopetegui will sit on the bench at Camp Nou as normal,” Madrid’s director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueno said. “In these kind of situations, it is important to remain calm and trust the players.”

This is the first Clasico for 11 years which will not feature at least one of world football’s most recent greats, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona’s Argentine star suffered an arm injury in the 4-2 win over Sevilla last weekend that will keep him out for three weeks, and Ronaldo signed for Italian giants Juventus in July.

While the Portuguese’s absence has been sorely noted during Madrid’s run without a goal which caused a five match winless run, Barcelona were able to beat Inter Milan 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday without Messi.

Rafinha Alcantara took the Argentine’s place in the side and scored the first goal, and he could deputise again on Sunday, while Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen are also out injured.

“I’m very happy for starting, for feeling good, for the win, for the goal and the motivation,” said Rafinha.