Ernesto Valverde warns Barcelona ahead of Clasico meeting with ‘crisis’ hit Real Madrid

Ernesto Valverde has warned his Barcelona players that Real Madrid will be looking to ‘demonstrate their strength’ in El Clasico.

Real Madrid head into Sunday’s meeting at Camp Nou on a run of one win from their last five La Liga matches, with head coach Julen Lopetegui position the subject of huge scrutiny.

It was widely reported that Lopetegui would have been sacked last Sunday had it not been for Real’s Champions League match with Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday, and victory in that game has seen the Spaniard keep his job for this weekend’s showpiece.

Valverde has warned that Real will pose a threat to his side, even though Los Blancos arrive in ‘crisis’.

Speaking in his post-match press conference after Wednesday night’s victory over Inter Milan , Valverde said: "Madrid can be even more dangerous," Valverde told a news conference after his side's win against Inter.

"They will come out here to face us and although they come in crisis will want to demonstrate their strength, which they have because they have great players.

"We must forget about today... I do not trust these situations."

Barca will be without talisman Lionel Messi again on Sunday with the Argentine sidelined with a fractured arm, but Valverde was impressed with his side’s performance in the win over Inter.

"We have responded well without Messi," Valverde continued. "There was a lot of expectation to see how we responded to his absence.

"It was something that was in everyone's head and it showed in the environment, but we have responded well.

"We always play as a team and we have a recognised and recognisable style, but it is true that Messi gives us a touch of extraordinary brilliance.

"If he is not there, we have to replace him, today we have made the right decision, but we hope we can come back soon, we all miss him."