The Uruguayan front man says Sunday’s clash will be a special occasion, even though it is unlikely to provide the final word in the title race
Luis Suarez says Sunday’s Clasico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be “like a final” but will not decide this season’s title race.
The Catalans welcome their deadly rivals having recently overturned the Blancos’ advantage at the top of La Liga to take a one-point lead, but the Uruguayan insists there will still be a race to be run whatever the result at Camp Nou.
“It is a final because Real Madrid-Barcelona games are always played in that spirit, with a lot of intensity and strength,” Suarez told Marca.
“They are very intense games, but we are also aware that anything can happen these days in La Liga.
“What’s great about La Liga nowadays is that every team provides tough competition and I don’t think that the Clasico will actually be all that decisive.”
The 28-year-old made his Barcelona debut in the 3-1 reverse to Madrid earlier in the season, but he is keen for his team-mates to attack the European champions and make the most of what he sees as a suspect back line.
“Obviously Real Madrid are Real Madrid,” he added. “You don’t need to say anything else because everyone knows the quality of players they have from the midfield forwards, but we also know the defensive weaknesses they have and we need to try and take advantage of them.”
While this is the first time Suarez will have lined up against Madrid at Camp Nou, he revealed that he has tasted the Clasico atmosphere in Catalunya before.
“I remember the Barcelona-Real Madrid game that ended 5-0 because I was in the stadium!” he added.
“It is those sorts of moments that live long in the memory: seeing how people celebrated, while the players also celebrated on the pitch; that was incredible.”
The final league Clasico of the season kicks off at 21:00 CET on Sunday.
