Carles Puyol analyzed for the sports book ‘Sportium’ the classic that Barça and Real Madrid will settle this Sunday at the Camp Nou.
A classic marked by the absence of Leo Messi, injury, and Cristiano Ronaldo, for his departure to Juventus.
The ex-captain of the Barça considers that the departure of the Portuguese striker explains the bad trajectory of a Real Madrid that comes to this encounter descolgado in the classification and with his technician, Julen Lopetegui, on the tightrope.
“When the best player leaves, it is logical that the team goes down,” says a Puyol who believes that whites “have to look for solutions, another way of playing, because they depended a lot on Cristiano’s goals. Now they have to substitute those goals with other players who score. ”
Regarding the absence of Messi, Puyol believes that “Barça have to do their football, have the ball and try to take advantage of the chances they have to score. The style of Barça is very clear. ”
However, he understands that the team suffers due to his absence: “The best player in the world is always very important in the team. Around you have great players who can also make a difference, but when you have the best, it is logical that you depend on him “.
The ex-captain blaugrana broke a spear in favor of the coach of Barca, Ernesto Valverde, questioned by certain sectors: “Valverde, for me, is a great coach and is doing very well. Last season was good, so I’ll stay with him. Barça are a solid team, they have great players and a coach who is doing very well “.
THE MEMORY OF 2-6
Puyol has lived classics of all kinds, “some very good and others very bad and very hard.”
Among the former, the ex-football player did not hesitate to choose “2-6 at the Bernabéu”, a match in which the culé thrashed began with a goal of his head in a corner launched by Xavi. Between the seconds, “the 4-1 a year before”, which began with the hall of Barça to the white team.