Barcelona legend reveals the key for success against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu

El Clasico, over the years, has seen several legends of the game take part in it across both teams. Very few, however, maintained their quality as an effective difference maker over the years.

Apart from the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and others who are known for their heroics over Real Madrid, one club legend who is lesser praised for his exploits is Ivan Rakitic.

The Croatian midfielder was always a reliable option on the field even under the highest of pressure and won five of the eight Clasicos he played at Santiago Bernabeu during his time at the club.

Rakitic speaks on El Clasico

Speaking to the media ahead of El Clasico, Barcelona legend Ivan Rakitic revealed the key to the team’s success at Santiago Bernabeu when he was a player and emphasised the mental aspect of the game.

“We were doing very well playing at the Bernabeu because Madrid opened up more than when they came to Camp Nou because of the pressure of playing at home and our strikers had more space,” he remarked.

Ivan Rakitic enjoyed success in Clasicos during his time at Barça. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Concurrently, he asked for the media and fans to maintain patience with Hansi Flick’s project and how the team would only get better as the young core gained experience.

“We can’t put pressure on young people, we have to enjoy them. They have everything ahead of them and we have to let them enjoy, what pressure it is for the veterans.”

“That we continue to see the smiles of Lamine, of Pau, of Gavi who has now returned, of Pedri who dances again in the field,” he added.

Barcelona go into tonight’s encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu with a three-point lead over Real Madrid. A victory against the reigning champions would be a huge statement from Hansi Flick’s side.

Source: SPORT