Koeman doesn't expect wounded Real Madrid to be "vulnerable"

Koeman doesn't expect wounded Real Madrid to be "vulnerable"

Ronald Koeman habló sobre el clásico ante el Madrid
Ronald Koeman habló sobre el clásico ante el Madrid | sport

The coach doesn't think Madrid will be affected by back-to-back defeats this week

Ronald Koeman says form goes out the window as Barcelona prepare to face a wounded Real Madrid in Saturday's Clasico at Camp Nou. 

Real Madrid have lost their last two matches in all competitions. They were beaten 1-0 at home by newly-promoted Cadiz in La Liga last weekend and lost 3-2 to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in midweek. 

"I don't expect Madrid to be vulnerable, the opposite," Koeman said in a press conference Friday when asked about Madrid's recent performances. 

"There's pressure on both teams in this game regardless of results. Maybe Madrid haven't been at their best in the last two games but that doesn't mean they come here with low morale. They're a great team with experienced players who can handle pressure and know they have to win the game.

"I don't think the losses will influence anything. We know they've played 4-4-2 against us in the past, not leaving as much space as when they play 4-3-3. They will be more compact than we saw in recent games." 

Pie de foto | AUTOR FOTO

Barça also go into the game on the back of a defeat in La Liga, at Getafe last weekend, although they recovered with a 5-1 win over Ferencvaros in the Champions League on Tuesday. 

"I have no complaints about the players," Koeman added when asked about his reign at Camp Nou so far, which has yielded three wins, one draw and one loss. 

"They have shown a lot of ambition and hunger in every game. Games against Madrid always that bit more special. We want to take another step forward, generate more confidence and, above all, to show we are on the right track."  

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