Laporta: We Will Not Give Up Against Real Madrid

Lebanon Today

Barcelona president criticizes the rival team’s strategy before El Clásico

“Joan Laporta,” the president of Barcelona, attended the fifteenth conference of fan clubs of the Catalan club in Andalusia, Ceuta, and Melilla, and praised the club’s current situation hours before the highly anticipated El Clásico.

In statements reported by the newspaper “Mundo Deportivo,” “Laporta” stated: “We are in a better position than before, we never succumbed to pessimism, and we did not anticipate any harm.”

He added: “I and the board of directors feel stronger, more convinced, and more determined than ever to complete the club’s recovery in all aspects.”

The president also requested the support of all fan clubs, saying: “Love for Barcelona is an invincible feeling, so I ask you to remain more united than ever to defend our emblem and essence, and to support our teams, coaches, and players more than ever.”

He affirmed: “Fan clubs are members of Barcelona because Barcelona belongs to you, because you love it, and you are the most capable of understanding when it is necessary to support the club and its stability, especially in difficult times.”

Unacceptable Strategy

On the other hand, “Laporta” expressed his confidence that Barcelona will perform well at the Bernabéu, saying: “Let’s prepare for a great match, and we are confident that our team will give us overwhelming joy. Our opponent has created an inappropriate atmosphere around the refereeing team, through what their television network is doing, they are influencing the referees.”

He affirmed: “It is an unacceptable strategy to win. They cannot say that the referees are hurting them or favoring Barcelona. We will not play the victim role; we will try to win at the Bernabéu again.”

“Laporta” was accompanied by: “Antonio Escudero” (Vice President of the Social Area), “Josep Ignasi Macia” (Director of the Social Area), “Odi Noris” (Barcelona Club Ambassador), “Enric Masip” (Member of the Presidential Board), “Juan Manuel Asensi” (President of the Players Association), “Esteban Vigo” (Vice President of the Players Association), and “Hristo Stoichkov” (former Barcelona player).

It is worth mentioning that Barcelona achieved a significant victory in their last match before El Clásico against Olympiacos of Greece, with a score of 6-1, last Tuesday, at the “Lluís Companys” Olympic Stadium, in the Champions League.

As for Real Madrid, they won against Juventus, with a clean goal, last Wednesday, at the “Santiago Bernabéu” stadium.

“Yamal’s” Statements

A Spanish press report stated that Real Madrid players will use “Lamine Yamal’s” statements towards the Royal team to motivate them before tomorrow’s match.

Real Madrid hosts its rival Barcelona at the “Santiago Bernabéu” stadium, as part of the La Liga matches.

“Yamal” had made statements accusing Real Madrid of “stealing and complaining.”

According to the newspaper “Marca,” “Yamal’s” statements are an additional incentive for the Real Madrid dressing room before El Clásico.

The newspaper added that Real stars have not forgotten the four defeats that the Merengue suffered against Barcelona last season, where the Catalan team won both home and away in La Liga, in the cup final, and in the Super Cup final.

The newspaper pointed out that “Yamal’s” words were not surprising at all for the Real players, because they believe that the Barça star does not respect the basic rules among professionals.

The newspaper explained that this is not the first time that Real Madrid players have seen this type of behavior from a young Barcelona player, but it has caused great discomfort in the dressing room, which wants to use it as fuel for Sunday’s match.

Real Madrid’s Anger

The newspaper “Mundo Deportivo” revealed what went on behind the scenes in the Real Madrid dressing room after “Yamal’s” statements, and from inside the Royal Club, “Lamine’s” comments are considered “stupid” and “disrespectful,” and reflect a negative image of their author.

The newspaper confirmed that the Real Madrid management rejected “Yamal’s” comments and that it intends to have a conversation with the Barcelona player, where “Dani Carvajal,” the captain of Real Madrid, will do so after the end of next Sunday’s match between the two teams at the “Santiago Bernabéu.”

The newspaper pointed out that the Merengue considers the Barcelona player’s statements “disrespectful,” whether he is referring in this case to Real Madrid or any other first-class club.

Moreover, Real Madrid realizes that these statements issued by a Barcelona player threaten the great harmony within the Spanish national team.

The newspaper concluded: “We will see if this incident will affect the national team training camp scheduled for November 10, in preparation for Spain’s last two matches in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup against Georgia and Turkey.”

The Position of the Two Teams Before El Clásico

Barcelona has played nine matches in the Spanish League so far, during which they achieved seven victories, one draw, and one defeat.

Barça drew against Rayo Vallecano with a goal for each team, while the loss was against Sevilla with a score of 1-4.

As for Real Madrid, they played the same number of matches, and during which they achieved eight victories and one defeat, which was against Atlético Madrid with a score of 2-5.

Barcelona has collected 22 points so far, with which they occupy second place in the standings, two points behind Real Madrid, which regained the lead thanks to its victory over Getafe with a clean goal, igniting the situation before the highly anticipated El Clásico.

El Clásico Suffering

Last season was difficult for Real in El Clásico matches, as the Merengue did not achieve any victory over its rival Barcelona and lost three direct titles.

In La Liga, the two teams met for the first time in the 11th round, and Barcelona achieved a crushing victory with a score of 4-0 in the first match for its new coach “Hans Flick” in El Clásico.

After that, the two teams met again in the Spanish Super Cup final, and the Blaugrana’s dominance continued, and Barcelona won with a score of 5-2 and was crowned champion.

El Clásico was repeated for the third time in the final of the Spanish King’s Cup, and Barcelona won with a deadly goal in extra time.

As for the fourth meeting, it came at Barcelona’s stronghold in the second leg of La Liga, and Barça won 4-3 and secured the league title in its favor.