Barcelona boss Luis Enrique insists he is 'sleeping like an angel' ahead of El Clasico as he confirms Lionel Messi is fit to play
- Real Madrid host rivals Barcelona at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening
- Luis Enrique does not believe Real Madrid are better than his team
- Barca boss says Lionel Messi will play but he is not 100 per cent fit
- Asked about the game, Enrique joked: 'I'm an iceberg, I don't feel anything'
- READ: Real Madrid rejected Ronaldinho because he was 'ugly'
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says he is 'iceberg'-cool about Saturday's Clasico with Real Madrid and admitted that he has Lionel Messi back and available for the game.
Strongly suggesting that a decision had already been made on how many minutes he will play, and hinting that he could even start, the Barca coach said: 'All my sensations are positive – not just because we lead the table but for the resources I have at my disposal.
'Messi is back, that is the main thing. He is short of training sessions and it's impossible that he is 100 per cent but it's a guarantee for us that he is with us again.'
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique says he is not feeling any pressure ahead of Saturday's game with Real Madrid
Barcelona's Lionel Messi plays with the ball during a training session on Friday ahead of El Clasico
Barcelona's Messi attends a training session with his team-mates before they face Real Madrid
Enrique admitted that he has Messi back and available for the game against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu
Barcelona are preparing to travel to the Bernabeu looking to stay top of La Liga by avoiding defeat
He was pressed on when he would make a decision as to whether the Argentine would start the game and said: 'I don't have it programmed. I will speak to him tomorrow and we will decide. I prefer that he plays but either way it is good news that he is available again.'
Enrique was asked to describe how the Clasico made him feel after Gerard Pique said the fixture aroused him and Andres Iniesta echoed those sentiments.
'I'm an iceberg, I don't feel anything,' he joked and when he was questioned about how his players would sleep before such a big game, he said: 'I've never slept better in my career as a coach – I am sleeping like an angel.'
Barca will be sleeping six points clear of Madrid on Saturday night if they win and their coach did not bite on the bait of Rafa Benitez, who admitted earlier in the day that he felt his side were favourites.
Enrique believes Real Madrid are one of the best teams in Europe but does not feel they are superior to Barca
Messi walks alongside Luis Suarez as Barcelona prepare for Saturday's clash with rivals Real Madrid
He said: 'They can play on the break, they can play with the ball. They are one of the best teams in Europe and therefore the world. But I don't believe they are superior to us. We are only in week 12 of the season so it will not be decisive – we lost the first Clasico last year and won the league.'
The Barca boss also confirmed that Ivan Rakitic was back in training, meaning he has his full compliment of players.
'It's nice that everyone is fit,' he said. 'Both sides have had players on international duty but the Clasico motivates the players so much no one will be tired.'
Barcelona boss Enrique admits it's 'nice that everyone is fit' ahead of their top of the table clash against Real
Messi and Suarez pictured locked in discussion during the training session as they prepare for El Clasico
Pique has been booed playing for Spain of late and can expect a warm welcome from the Bernabeu but Enrique, who played for both teams in his playing career, added: 'It wouldn't be a Clasico if they did not whistle our players.
'They whistle some more than others but the same happens when Madrid play here.
'I like games with atmosphere and so long as it does not cross the line into anything close to violence, it is not a problem.'
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