Gerard Pique: Barcelona are favourites in the next El Clasico
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has said his team are favourites to win the next El Clasico, which will be played at the Camp Nou on 28 November.
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have important fixtures in the Copa del Rey, Champions League and La Liga to play before the derby, but the media storm leading up to it is already underway.
The Catalans have won their last four league fixtures against Real, whose last victory came in May 2008.
But Pique, who joined Barcelona from Manchester United shortly after Real's last victory, said his side's advantage would be derived from their home advantage, not their recent run against Real, when the sides meet later this month.
"Yes, it is clear that at home we are favourites, but anything can happen in this match. However we know that we are able to win, and we are very confident."
Since Jose Mourinho's arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, Real have shown a stability that has been lacking in the team's performances in recent seasons.
Real currently top the league with 26 points from ten games, with Barcelona trailing them by one point.
"Whether or not this Real Madrid is stronger, the culture of Madrid is winning, and they win many games," Pique added, careful not to underestimate Barcelona's title rivals.
Unfazed by Mourinho's comments
With Mourinho in charge of Real, the press' reporting on the fixture is likely to increase, as the Portuguese is known to make bold statements in order to divert attention away from his own players and their form.
"[Mourinho] seems to speak much of Barcelona, but in the end, everyone responds to the questions they are asked," Pique said of Mourinho's frequently quoted comments. "We know that there are many people who believe in what they read in the media, and of
what Mourinho says, but we are not concerned by it. If we do what we know, within ourselves, then we can move forward."
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