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Ernesto Valverde wants a strong start against Real Madrid

By Laieke Abebe

CASTELLON, SPAIN - DECEMBER 10: coach Ernesto Valverde of FC Barcelona during the Spanish Primera Division match between Villarreal v FC Barcelona at the Estadio de la Ceramica on December 10, 2017 in Castellon Spain (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images)
CASTELLON, SPAIN - DECEMBER 10: coach Ernesto Valverde of FC Barcelona during the Spanish Primera Division match between Villarreal v FC Barcelona at the Estadio de la Ceramica on December 10, 2017 in Castellon Spain (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Ernesto Valverde doesn’t want his team to start slow against Real Madrid, citing how slow they started in the Spanish Super Cup matches.

The 2017 Spanish Super Cup is something that Barcelona wants to forget. Real Madrid dominated them over two legs to claim that trophy. However, Barca has been on excellent form since that cup tie. El Clasico is this weekend and the Blaugrana want to continue their success in all competitions this season. The first meeting will be at the Bernabeu and it will be pivotal when it comes to the La Liga title race.

Barca enters this meeting with Real Madrid 11 points ahead of their rivals despite playing one more game. With a win, that lead would be extended to 14 points and Madrid’s chances at a repeat could take a huge hit. They’ll be motivated to stay in the title race as their home crowd is one of the most hostile in the game. However, Barca has played in so many big matches over the years and this one will also be big for them.

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Ernesto Valverde has been thinking of adjustments for his team throughout the week. The Spanish Super Cup was a rude awakening for him and the Blaugrana. They want to get revenge for Real Madrid dominating that tie. He also wants his team to start on a more positive note. In those two losses earlier in the season, Real Madrid got many chances and were on the front foot for the entire match.

"“Look at the Super Cup games, we lost that in the first half. They got straight into the game and we couldn’t cope with the speed they went into the game. We made errors, to their credit because they were forced errors. We need a good start, to impose our rhythm on the game. We need to go out to try and win the game, that’s what I am looking at. But where it’s going to be won or lost, I don’t know.”Valverde on what went wrong for Barcelona in their first meeting with Real Madrid"

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Overall, Barca must be ready for Real Madrid’s counter attack through its big name stars, Ronaldo, Modric, Kroos, etc. In addition to that, they must be ready to break the other way because Real Madrid’s outside backs like to get forward. They’ll need a great performance from Gerard Pique and Thomas Vermaelen in central defense. Of course, Lionel Messi will need to be the player he always is, finding ways to create for others and himself. We’ll see if Barca can get their revenge this weekend.

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