Ernesto Valverde says this Clásico comes with a trophy at stake

Ernesto Valverde will make his debut as Barça coach this Sunday in official competition with FC Barcelona’s clash with none other than Real Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup at Camp Nou which kicks off at 10.00pm CET. It is not the first Clásico of the season but it the first in competition. “The friendly game we played during the tour is a reference point but that’s all. Now it’s different, there is a title at stake and they want to win it as well,” said the new Barça coach in the traditional pre-game press conference in the Ciutat Esportiva.

“We will have to give our best to win, they will be two tough matches. We are focused on the game and whatever the talk is, we are only thinking about that,” continued Valverde on the subject of the Spanish Super Cup which is played over two legs, home and away.

The coach commented on Leo Messi’s form coming into the first big test of the season. “I see him in good shape, he is having a great preseason in every sense and we hope to see him at his best tomorrow,” added the Barça coach.

Valverde also was wary of Real Madrid’s potential despite the absence of Luka Modric. “We know how good Madrid and they have a strong squad. They have just won the European Super Cup playing well but we just have to focus on ourselves,” he concluded.