Lionel Messi has stressed the importance of Barcelona gaining a good result from this weekend’s El Clasico against Real Madrid.

 

The reigning La Liga champions head to the Bernabeu on Saturday and, sitting three points behind Jose Mourinho’s Los Blancos and having played a game more, could potentially be looking at a nine-point gap if Real Madrid were victorious.

 

For the Blaugrana that would be a real bridge to cross in the second half of the season and it is not a deficit that just the reverse Clasico fixture would wipe out.

 

For Messi then, a positive result in Real Madrid’s backyard is critical.

 

"It’s vital we get a good result", said Messi.

 

"It would set us up for the rest of the season."

 

Messi also underlined just how difficult the Blaugrana will find it to maintain their form given a packed programme which sees the side depart for Japan to play in the Club World Cup after the match against Real Madrid.

 

"We’ve got a lot of games to get through, that’s true, and it’s never easy to maintain top form.

 

"But we really don’t care what people are saying. We’re staying cool, calm and collected.

 

"Nobody knows what this team is capable of better than we do."

 

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