Real receive hostile Barcelona welcome

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has urged fans to focus on supporting their team after the Real Madrid team bus was attacked on Sunday.

Real’s bus was pelted with stones and bottles as they arrived at their hotel in Barcelona ahead of the ‘Clasico’ at the Camp Nou on Monday.

About 2000 people greeted Real Madrid on their arrival at the hotel, with a small group of radical fans from the Barcelona supporters group, Boixos Nois, thought to be behind the trouble.

No players or coaching staff were injured during the incident, although a security guard was struck on the neck.

And Rosell urged fans to show their support in a positive way ahead of the biggest match in Spanish football.

“I hope that tonight we see a great spectacle and a lot of fair play,” Rosell said.

“We have to send a message to the whole world that two great rivals like Barca and Real Madrid must dedicate themselves to playing and showing that soccer does not divide but unite.”

This season’s Clasico has even greater importance than usual with both sides enjoying impressive starts to their La Liga campaigns.

Real Madrid are undefeated after 12 games and sit at the top of the table, with Barcelona just one point behind in second.

But despite top spot and bragging rights being on offer for the winner on Monday, Rosell said the result was ultimately not decisive for either team’s title hopes.

“It won’t be decisive by any means,” Rosell said. “Whoever wins tonight will not be champion as there is a lot of the season left and there are other teams, not just Barca and Real.”