Clasico could be decisive says Ronaldo

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo admits Monday night’s Clasico between Barcelona and Real at Camp Nou is vital for both sides saying it could have a significant bearing on who is crowned league champions in May.

Barcelona have won the last four Clasicos on their way to winning back to back league crowns and Portuguese winger Ronaldo believes the importance of the game can not be underestimated despite over two thirds of the season still to go.

“It could be a decisive match as the two sides are so even and these games could decide the championship,” said Ronaldo. “It would be difficult for the losing team to take.

“We are stronger than last season and we go into the match without losing a match and have a lot more confidence and solidity.

“The team looks really good and the coach has given us a lot of confidence.”

Ronaldo has scored 14 league goals to top the goalscoring charts and under Jose Mourinho Real are unbeaten starting with ten wins and two draws to lead second-placed Barcelona by a point.

Barcelona thrashed Almeria 8-0 in their last league match to equal the biggest away win in history but Ronaldo is unfazed.

“The 8-0 at Almeria doesn’t tell me anything, lets see if they score eight goals against us on Monday,” declared the former Manchester United man.

“Barcelona is still a very difficult team. Barca is a very strong team, especially when they play at home. They are there to fight for the league title.”

The Spanish press have hyped up the game as a battle between Ronaldo, the most expensive player in the world, and Barcelona’s Ballon D’Or winner Lionel Messi who has 13 league goals to his name.

“Talking about a duel between myself and Messi is nonsense,” Ronaldo. “I am just one player and I don’t think I have more pressure than my team-mates. We all have the responsibility to perform well.

“I am not obsessed by scoring goals and I am not obsessed by scoring against Barcelona.”

Ronaldo can expect some jeers from the Camp Nou crowd after his spat with Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta in last season’s fixture when he accused the Spanish World Cup winner of diving and infuriated the softly-spoken Iniesta who accused him of being a hypocrite.

“I don’t mind them (the Barcelona fans) whistling,” said Ronaldo. “It won’t bother me or the coach. We are just focussed on winning the match.”

Mourinho can expect a hostile reception at Camp Nou after his Inter Milan team beat Barcelona in last season’s Champions League semi-finals when the Portuguese coach irritated the Barca home fans by raising his finger aloft and had a spat with Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

The former Chelsea manager has acknowledged that he will be public enemy number one but preferred to focus on the importance of the game.

“This is an important match but decisive?” said Mourinho. “All the games are important and every point dropped could be decisive at the end of the season. After the Clasico there are 25 games left and a lot of points still to play for.”

The second Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu is on the weekend of April 16/17 in the title run-in.