Ronald Koeman is boosted by the return of Gerard Pique to his squad for Saturday’s crucial Clasico but what he really needs for the latest dice with great rivals Real Madrid is his talisman Lionel Messi firing on all cylinders.
A patchy run of form from Atletico Madrid, in which the La Liga leaders have won only four of their past 10 matches, means Barca are only a point off top spot with Madrid just three back.
So Saturday’s contest, at Madrid’s Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the title race in Spain this season.
Messi is the all-time top scorer in Clasico matches with 26 goals, including a record 18 in league games, but he’s not scored in his previous six encounters against Madrid, matching his longest run without a goal in the fixture.
“Hopefully, Messi will be decisive for us tomorrow,” Koeman told a pre-match news conference.
“We need the best Messi, but above all we need the best Barca. And, obviously, we need Leo to have a good game, a good attack.”
Barca’s squad for the trip to Madrid has been boosted by the return of veteran centre-back Pique, who has been sidelined for just over a month since spraining his knee in the 3-0 win over Sevilla that secured a comeback 3-2 aggregate win in their Copa del Rey semi-final.
The versatile Sergi Roberto is also included in the squad having been out since February with a thigh issue.
“They are two important players due to their quality and personality,” Koeman added.
Barca have been on a sensational run in La Liga, going unbeaten in 19 matches and winning 13 out of the past 14.
The last time these sides met, Madrid ran out 3-1 winners at Camp Nou and Los Blancos are aiming for a third straight Clasico win for the first time since 1978 and a first La Liga double since the 2007-08 campaign.
“The result in principle is not decisive because there are still many games to go and it will be difficult to win every game,” Koeman said.
“But it is true that the team that wins will see their morale increased.
“El Clasico is a different game from the others, there is always a lot of emotion.
“Barca are having a great season, with many points achieved that allows us to fight for La Liga, but Madrid is still Madrid and we have to respect them and be at our best.”