Mascherano: Clasico is not won yet

Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano says his side cannot take their recent dominance over Real Madrid for granted.

Barca host Real in the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday having won the first leg 2-1 at the Bernabeu last week.

Pep Guardiola’s only loss to Real as Barcelona coach came in last season’s Copa del Rey final, and Mascherano said their first-leg lead did not mean they were already into the next round.

“We have the measure of Madrid,” Mascherano told Goal.com. “But that doesn’t always guarantee success and we are still not in the semi-finals of the cup.”

“The tie against Madrid isn’t won yet, but we are optimistic; we have a good advantage from the first leg but it is no good being over-confident and we know Wednesday will be a harder match than the one at the Bernabeu.”

Mascherano says Sunday’s sublime showing at Malaga, where Barca beat the Andalusians 4-1, will give the Catalans confidence for the latest Clasico clash.

“The three points we won at Malaga on Sunday in the league will give us more energy for the cup match,” he said.

“We are working well and now we have to finish the job at home.”

“We know that Madrid will give us a difficult match because they are obliged to come out and win if they want to get to the semi-finals, but this game depends on us and if we manage the situation well, we will be in the next round.”

The Argentine midfielder, who has been utilised in defence by Guardiola on numerous occasions over the last two seasons, claims he is looking forward to what he describes as one of the world’s finest fixtures.

“The atmosphere is guaranteed and the passion as well,” he said. “Nobody can doubt that this is one of the best games in world football today.”

And aside from their first-leg lead, the former Liverpool star claims Barca have one more big advantage over their biggest rivals: Lionel Messi.

“For me there is no doubt – Leo Messi is the best player in the world whether he scores three goals in a game or whether he doesn’t score at all,” Mascherano said.

“With him we have a plus point that no other team can count on.”