Can Real Madrid find consistency against Barcelona? 🤔 El Clasico PREVIEW | ESPN FC

ESPN FC

El Clasico preview: Real Madrid's consistency, Mourinho's pressure and Barcelona's system

ESPN FC previews El Clasico from Barcelona, focusing on how a Real Madrid defeat could leave them nine points behind, the pressure on Mourinho, Real's unsettled best XI, and Barcelona's system and Anthony Gordon's adaptation. The panel largely backs Barcelona, with most predictions around 3-1.

Luis Garcia, Steve McManaman and Craig Burley join Dan Thomas on ESPN FC live from Barcelona, Spain to preview Sunday’s El Clasico matchup. 0:00 Make or break feeling? 4:05 Tale of the tape 7:19 Real Madrid’s possible starting XI 11:00 Anthony Gordon interview 14:00 Gordon’s time at Barca so far 18:08 Barcelona’s style of play 21:15 Predictions ✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plus.espn.com/ ESPN ESPNFC

Transcript

48 hours to go then until our classicalico and of course no better place to be than Barcelona itself. Hello and welcome in to the latest edition of ESPNFC. I'm Dan Thomas, delighted to be joined by the perfect team to look ahead to our classical. Former Barcelona player Luis Garcia is with us. Former Real Madrid player Steve McMahon is here. >> Wait for it. >> And Craig Burley joins us as well. Uh so predictable >> to look ahead to the first >> Hey, 48 hours. That's a that's a lot of beers. >> First Classico of the season and MKA already there's >> almost a make or break feeling about it because of the way both teams have started this season. >> Yeah, I think so. I think the fact that well at the at the Derby at the Atletico Madrid when Real Madrid lost it was they'd lost two out of seven. It could be three out of 10 if they lose. They could be nine points behind. That's when the pressure really starts to ramp up on Jose Mourinho because of course Barcelona's amazing start to La Liga. They're the closest rivals. If they do go nine points ahead, you almost feel that they're uncatchable even now and it'll be the end of of October which is surreal to say, but one form has been excellent as in Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga has been hit and missed. They've hit a little bit of form of late but they have played lesser opposition. So it's an absolute amazing test for them to see how they come through back at the camp new of course >> a huge test that they have to pass Luis. Yeah, they should or they must if we can say. But the problem is not if you lose, it's when you finish that game against Eláico where you think that is one of the biggest one is the amount of pressure you're you're going to have to the rest of the season because it's not only the points is that you know that you have to win every single game. you cannot miss a game and in in your opponent is in a fantastic form from probably one of the best form that we've seen Barcelona for many years because if they win tomorrow I think it's 10th in a row and that means that they're going to break a record that Real Madrid had since the 60s something like that. That's what I read. I'm not a big fan of facts or something. >> Well, clearly you really read it really carefully. >> But it was Yeah, that was kind of what I heard something about a broken phone. But uh honestly the the the thing is that it's not that because if you if they lose tomorrow is game over is is because the amount of press that they're going to receive because nine points we can say MA from October until the last par. So a lot of things can happen a lot and we've seen it that with Ram you never know >> in any other league and any other time you'd say nine points is fine. >> It's fine. It's catchable. But right now the situation really is not a good good sign for >> nine points Real Madrid would then have to be perfect for the rest of the season. Bas would have Bassa would have to lose basically four games >> which doesn't it could happen doesn't but they'd have to lose four games >> or or thereabouts and Real Madrid would have to pretty much win out and and we know they're not perfect. >> So that's that scenario is the worst case scenario obviously for Mourinho who was happy Mourinho at the start of the season. We talked about it after the games. He was happy in his press conferences and things weren't it wasn't brilliant on the field, but the results were good. And then it started to change a little bit, didn't it? The narrative just changed, the attitude changed, the press conferences changed, the blaming the referees. It just sort of sort snowballed so early. >> Uh that that and that's one of the reasons he's been brought in here, isn't it? to to sort of manage these fires with his experience and and pick the right team for the big games. And I know Mark has got his thoughts on what the 11 may be, but I haven't. That's the thing. I've not >> the producer sent well the producer sent an email said you guaranteed this was the 11 cuz we talked about it yesterday on the show and said if you sat down he's probably put five or six teams on paper Mourinho and thought nah I'm gonna change that. Nah, I'm gonna change that. And so he's sort of plucking the team out of not thin air but what he thinks is going to be the best and apart from injuries or suspensions as we said yesterday Hansif pretty much knows what his strongest team is. >> Real Madrid come into this as underdogs and they have struggled against Barcelona of late just one win in the last eight classical that came all the way back at the start of last season. However, we're at the Barcelona media today speaking to some of the players and the coach. And of course, nobody is taking a victory for granted. Victoria. Former Real Madrid players speak about the fact that sometimes in normal day-to-day La Liga matches, it's difficult to lift yourselves. It's not quite in the club's culture, but it when it comes to big games, Mack at the Champions League and Eláico, this is where Real Madrid really stand up. So, will we see that, do you think, this weekend? Will this be the kick up the catalyst? >> I think all of us, as you know, football watches certainly hope so. I think their recent form against Sevilla was good, against Leipzig was good, albeit they're second rate opposition towards Barcelona. They're nowhere near the quality of Barcelona, but I thought they played well. Well, I thought they, you know, got a lot of confidence from those particular games, but they have, they're going to have to lift their game to a much higher level than what we've seen this year. They've been inconsistent. They've had, we've said it numerous times, 45 minutes great, 45 minutes poor, 45 minutes great. You know, the last time we saw them live, well, certainly me and Luis was at um for ESPN was at the uh was at El Derby and they were all over the place. They they complained afterwards about sending goss, but their performance on the pitch at that particular time wasn't very good. Since then, they've responded and they've won Champions League games and La Liga games, but they are now facing the utmost test. They're facing the best team in La Liga by far and they're facing well one of the best teams in Europe. I know the PSG result the other day, but that didn't surprise me because Barcelona are looking forward to this game. So, you're talking about one of the best teams in Europe. So Madrid are going to have to go again and lift their performance to another level than what we've seen this year. And that is the litmus t litmus test for for Jose Mourinho. How far has he dragged this team? Has he instilled any power in this team? Has he done anything to affect this team? Because as I sit here and I've said it on numerous occasions commentating, I still don't know their best 11. I I know a lot of the players who are going to play on Sunday because of what's happened in this last week of football, but I still don't know what's the best team. You know, putting Fede Valver right back has been great for the last couple of games and he'll probably play there Sunday, but he doesn't want to play there. And then you've got Denel Dumpries and Trent Alexander Arnold on the bench. So >> a lovely feeling as a natural I'm beused by it because he seems to have gone backwards. I don't know whether house and Canate Rudiger who will play. It'll probably be I mean the fact that Hson's come in it'll probably be House and Cane but you're still Demand and Gul have been excellent in this last week. So they'll probably play but you're still thinking to yourself what's the best shape? Who's the best players in that position where as you said before Barcelona just roll the team out and then they score three, take three forwards off, put three forwards on and they're forever changing the team for the benefit of the team. And that's what worries me. They seem to have a a stack full of individuals who know their exact position on the pitch, know their job, know what they need to do to get things, you know, get things done. And the fact that they're, >> you know, averaging more than four goals a game, I think says that. >> And G has been one of their better players, but but he want he he wants to play him more central. Yeah. But because of the Venets's suspension and obviously he wasn't playing well anyway but I mean he would have played but because of the suspension he's now got a hole there somewhere that he has to move Diamande and he probably has to put as that graphic said Guler a little >> further forward and and that just >> it takes your passing player into the final third but it takes him out of the engine room where they do struggle to have somebody that can really pass the ball. Bellingham's running has been you know from the World Cup onwards Bellingham has been been I mean he was England's best man in the world cup he was amazing uh so that's one bonus for for >> who do you think plays in in the center of midfield many and do you think Gula will play or do you think Gul will play right where doesn't play in midfield if he plays in midfield who's going to play >> but you can't play you you can't you can't be but we've seen how playing in the center midfield in this against Atletico Madrid and in games where physicality is needed, quick transition and he cannot cope with that. He's a he's a player who needs to have the ball. That's why he drops so much next to the center back to grab the ball and to build up from the back. But you are 70 m away from from Mbappe or from Diamande. It's very difficult to to to reach those kind of ranges. If you expect that he makes the work that against Barcelona, you need why Paris San goes over Barcelona and wins the game because the intensity, the pressure, 90 minutes pressure, one be one every single area on the on the field. That's how you control Barcelona, how you generate danger against them. If you allow them to build up and you are Real Madrid and we've seen that Real Madrid kab is going to go the first time. Leand is going to be one time and Adagul maybe he arrive or he won't. Barcelona is going to build up from >> I agree because we we tal we discussed this a week or two ago when he did play central midfield and and played very well >> is that I think you can do that in games that Real Madrid are going to dominate dominate but in games that they're not and don't expect to see a lot of the ball the physicality the speed of play that's going to put an awful lot of pressure on Chenny and Jude Bellingham in fact I think it's going to take away from Jude Bellingham's game because he's going to have to come back and do more of that donkey work >> so that's a big call >> for Barcelona I We've got nothing but positive to say about what we've seen from them so far this season. Obviously positive, 100% perfect in La Liga. And what a time to be moving from the Premier League to La Liga to join Barca, one of the best teams in the world. And we caught up with Gordon ahead of the game. >> How is the the mood in the locker room? You had the best start ever of the season, but of course you came from a tough defeat against PSG. How how are the locker room? >> Yeah, the mood is the same. We had a historical start which we're looking to carry on. Um the defeat to PSG was was difficult because it was a good game. We were in the game for large parts, but I felt like athletically they were able to sustain um their play longer than us. But I think there's some context to that. They rested their players um before they played us. And we had a very very difficult week with travel and um yeah, things with the plane and things people don't know. But I think our character during this week was as good as you will ever see. So I'm really proud of what we achieved during this week um and our start to the season and we're looking to carry that on. >> How would you define the default or the the process? What has you surprised the most about the way of playing of Barcelona and also in in La Liga? >> I wouldn't say different to how I imagine because I didn't know what to expect. I didn't expect anything because you never know until you're you're here. But it's certainly different to what I'm used to. The league is different. um to the Premier League for sure. It has its own qualities and and so does the Premier League. So very different, but I'm enjoying it. >> If you put a number in your adaptation, your proc process of adaptation to to Barcelona, how which number would you put? 1 to 10, for example, and what do you think you need to to improve yet? >> Um if I could put a number, I would say seven and a half because like I've said many times, it's been good. Um but I can still do so much more. Like in the Paris game for example, I think I could have done more in this game in these type of games where I need to be consistently on the highest level if I want to become the player that I really want to become. So I still have so much to do. It's been a okay start, good start, but yeah, still a long long way to go to get where I want to get to. >> You said past that uh the first goal when you sign for a team it it takes a while and then it's like you get relieved. You already done that. You think you feel less a stress in in that matter in in scoring? Yes, I know because of um my previous history with with youth teams and clubs that it takes me a while to become settled. That's why I say there's still so much for me to do because I've started well, which is quite rare for me. I've never done this in the past. Um so I know with more and more time that I play here next year for example and and years on I'll be a much much better player than than I am now. >> Um everybody thinks you are favorite of course of this historical uh beginning of the season. Uh, do you feel favorites the the team? >> I think favorites go out the window in these kind of games. I think can go can go either way because there's so much tension. There's so much competition and the level on show. Any player can decide the game um like this. So, no, I don't think we're favorites. I think it's very equal and like I said, I'm very excited for the game. >> Anthony Gordon speaking to Gemma Cer there. How would you assess his time so far at Barcel? >> I think he's been good actually. I think he adapted very well to a system that he wasn't used to. An idea and philosophy that is not easy to to to adapt because you play in a different style. You you have to wait for the ball to come. You don't you cannot move. You his jump his awareness wasn't right there. So I think it's very important that he understand yeah I'm I'm being involved into the game. I can bring something but I need to continue improving if I want to be the player that I want to be. So I think it's so far we can give it a fantastic grade because um he's adding something extra to this Barcelona side and it's still a lot of room to improve. So very good. >> Yeah. M let's not forget when you made the move obviously from Liverpool to Real Madrid you're going from the spotlight at Liverpool which is intense but then to Real Madrid where you're playing with Zidane Figo Ronaldo those sort of players back in the day. What's that like m making that step being in training with these players every day? Well, to to be honest, the players you just mentioned came after me. As in I played with them, but I I arrived before them, so it was a little bit different. But the fact that Anthony Gordon's got >> What a pressure. What a pressure for those players. >> Yeah, exactly. Ronaldo, >> imagine flying on the way. >> Exactly. We just won the Champions League when they arrive. They struggled in the first couple of years. Anyway, well, Andy Gordon when he left Newcastle, it had with all respect to Newcastle, they didn't have the same kudos as Liverpool and he's gone to a team that have just won and dominate La Liga last year. So, it was difficult, but I think the fact that Robert Leandowski left, of course, they sold Feran Torres to um to PSG. I think Anthony Gordon, Adri, and Gabrielle Jesus have all chipped in really really nicely, haven't they? You know, we're still early on this season. I think they've adapted really well. He seems to have his head screwed on at Gordon. Wants to work hard and wants to wants to better himself all the times, which is exactly how you you should be as a pro. But I think the fact that they've got the these so-called six forwards that they can change rounds at any given time and the and they're averaging more than four goals a game says that they're all doing well. The spotlight will fall on Lame cuz he's a superstar. Rafinia cuz he's got all the goals. But the other guys are chipping in and considering they've only been in the building what 3 months I think they should all have a a deserved you know smack on the back to say well done cuz they're all doing a great great job as of this moment. big test on Sunday of course to see where they really are but um as of yet you know I'm I'm absolutely thrilled to for Gordon he's he's from the area where I was from in Liverpool Kirkdale which is a very small area so the fact that he's playing for Barcelona and he's excelling and the team are excelling I'm absolutely thrilled to bits for >> he looks comfortable doesn't he does and I think that's what whether it's Deco or Hanzy Fleck or both what Barcelona have done well thus far it's a long season is not go after necessarily the superstars. >> Oh, sorry. They let Rashford go as well. Sorry, mate. Go. >> Yeah, neither. >> Le and if you said, well, you can Marcus Rashford can stay or you can have Anthony Gordon. Most people would have probably said, we'll take Rashford. >> And so, what they've done well, they've they've understood and recognized that, yeah, Rashford did well for them. He came off the bench, scored some great goals, had some starts. at what's going to fit our system in the way our current coach what's going to work the best for him and us rather than who's the star out there because as you said they've got they've got stars already they got Rafinia they got Lamin they got the you know Ferine Lopez a bit of a star actually when when he plays Danny Elmo's got the injury again uh he's been a big player for them ferine Lopez and they've gone out Admy if you'd have said Admy we talked about this a couple reason if you'd have said six months away from the end of last season Admy and Anthony Gordon are going to Barcelona would have all looked at each other and gone are you nuts are they desperate their leaders are back >> and Gabriel Jesus from his injury worries >> but it just fits absolutely right it's pace it's work rate it's directness it's all those things and if they play great if they don't play >> as it seems sometimes they're not going to throw all the the the toys out of the pram and go in the huff >> yeah ma how much would you have loved to have played in this side Never. >> Why would I want to play for for Barcelona? >> Of course, you're pretending you're >> like saying you have like to play. Oh, the style of play. Sorry. >> I did play in the style of play like that when I play for Real Madrid. The >> scouts. >> We played like that when I played for Real Madrid. >> Very chippy today. >> Listen, stop bullying up Barcelon Man United at Grace when it was terrible as well. And I wouldn't have played for them either. >> Thinking about it. I don't know if you mentioned that a couple of minutes ago. I wasn't really listening to it. But did you mention Ferin Torres? >> No. Ferin Torres, Leandowski and Rashford all left. And they brought they brought in Anthony Gordon and Gav. >> How much would you have enjoyed playing for this Barcelona? >> Yes. Yes. I would have love. But I think >> that was the better question. Yeah. No, but I think everyone every player if you ask playing this kind of style because you enjoy as a player, you are on the ball, yo