Laporta’s advisor backs Barcelona superstar to shine vs Real Madrid – ‘No doubt he’ll be at his best’ | OneFootball

Enric Masip is one of the Barcelona officials who is currently on a busy schedule in the days leading up to the all-important El Clasico this weekend.

Masip, who is a member of Barcelona’s Sports Committee, recently spoke to the media (h/t AS), offering his thoughts on the season’s first Clasico while also talking about Lamine Yamal.

Masip on Yamal, El Clasico and Villarreal game

Masip, a close advisor of Joan Laporta, started by talking about the Clasico, which will be a must-win affair for Barcelona as they look to maintain the pressure on Real Madrid at the top of the table.

“A Clasico is a Clasico: regardless of each team’s form, and sometimes one can be better than the other, I think it’s similar: neither team is in perfect form, but it’s certainly a Clasico,” he said.

“The excitement will certainly be running high. It will be a magnificent spectacle, and I hope it goes the way it should, all in all, to enjoy and try to win,” he added.

Barcelona are expected to find it much tougher to beat an improved Real Madrid side this time around. Therefore, the club would require all the help they can get, although the ongoing injury crisis is not exactly helpful.

“We have to trust those who are there. In the end, it’s the famous saying that who we are, we are, and that defines the champion teams, and Barça are one of them. 

This is a big week for Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

“We’re going to play against one of the best in the world in a difficult stadium, but we also like challenges and we’re going to fight for them,” he said.

One player who will be available, however, is Lamine Yamal, whose lifestyle and fitness have become a key talking point in recent weeks.

Masip, though, backed Yamal to prove his doubters wrong with a solid performance against Real Madrid this weekend.

“If Lamine has shown anything, it’s that he likes challenges, tough matches, and the best stages are where he shows off his magic, but he’s got a great team in front of him, and it’ll be tough. I’m not worried,” he said.

“I know he’s a very competitive player. I have no doubt he’ll be at his best, despite the fact that he’s just been overcoming some discomfort, had to stop, and won’t be able to have his best rhythm,” he added.

Finally, Masip talked about La Liga’s decision to put the Miami game against Villarreal on the back burner due to massive backlash in Spain.

“It’s curious when someone talks about corrupting the competition when both teams would arrive in Miami equally tired, isn’t it?” he concluded.