التخطي إلى المحتوى الرئيسي

Real Madrid will be gripped by fear if Barcelona win the Clasico, argues Morientes


The ex-Blancos striker suspects that his old side will crack under the pressure if their one-time 10-point advantage is reduced to a solitary point on Saturday night

Morientes - Figo - Real Madrid 2000/2001

Former Real Madrid hitman Fernando Morientes believes that a victory for Barcelona in this weekend's Clasico would strike fear into the hearts of Los Blancos.


The now-retired striker's old club go into the game at Camp Nou with a four-point advantage in hand over their Catalan arrivals, meaning Jose Mourinho's men will still be on top of the table regardless of the result.

However, Morientes feels that the balance of power will shift dramatically in favour of the Blaugrana if they triumph on Saturday night given they were 10 points adrift as recently as last month.


"If Barca win they will fill Madrid with fear in their bodies, because in just a short time they will have seen their 10-point cushion [dramatically] reduced," the former Spain international is quoted as saying by Cadena Cope.



"The psychological aspect will be a determining factor in the game. Madrid cannot play for a draw. They have to go to win, to attack and play the football that their players are capable of.



"If the game gets difficult, they can start thinking about just getting a draw. However, there is a lot of risk attached to just thinking about trying to defend against a team like Barcelona."

المشاركات الشائعة من هذه المدونة

Brazil struggle to beat 10-man Ghana in friendly

Brazil, with playmaker Ronaldinho back in the side, struggled to beat 10-man Ghana 1-0 in a friendly at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground on Monday.  Leandro Damiao struck the only goal on the stroke of halftime, running on to a defence-splitting ball from Fernandinho and finding the corner of the net from a tight angle.  It was one of the few moments of invention from the former world champions, even with the crafty Ronaldinho returning for his first international appearance since November after showing excellent form for Brazilian title contenders Flamengo.  Ghana never threatened after having defender Daniel Opare sent off in the 32nd minute, a series of over exuberant challenges earning him repeated warnings from Mike Dean before the English referee ran out of patience.  The game started at a furious pace but the red card changed things, with Ghana retreating after halftime in a bid to keep Brazil at bay.  The...

Spain Roundup-Barca promote Cuenca to first team

Brief news from La Liga ahead of this weekend's matches (All times GMT):  * Barcelona have promoted youth team winger Isaac Cuenca to the first team with an improved contract which will tie him until 2015, the European champions said on Friday.  Cuenca, 21, made his debut in the Champions League last October and has made 15 first-team appearances since.  He is likely to get further opportunities starting at Villarreal on Saturday (2100) as Pep Guardiola has David Villa, Ibrahim Afellay, Andreu Fontas, Andres Iniesta and Alexis Sanchez out injured.  * Villarreal, who started the season playing in the Champions League, secured their first win under new coach Jose Molina last weekend but are only kept out of the bottom three by goal difference.  "We have had a tough season so far," defender Gonzalo Rodriguez said. "We need a special performance to help us to believe in ourselves again."  Villarreal have a d...

Islanders acquire Rolston in trade with Devils

New Jersey Devils left wing Brian Rolston The New York Islanders have acquired center Brian Rolston and a conditional draft pick in 2012 from the New Jersey Devils for right wing Trent Hunter, the teams said on Thursday. The 38-year-old Rolston, a 2007 All-Star who has spent the past three seasons with the Devils, collected 14 goals and 34 points in 65 games last season. He played on the Devils' 1995 Stanley Cup winners during a previous stint in New Jersey and has also played with the Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild during a 16-year career. Four times he scored 30 or more goals. Hunter, 31, who has scored 99 goals in 459 career games with the Islanders, played in only 17 games in 2010-11 with one goal and four points before having season-ending surgery for a torn knee ligament in February.