Barcelona star Neymar is adamant that the Blaugarana can beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in Nov. 21's El Clasico, and he is eager to get on the scoresheet.
The in-form Brazilian has taken responsibility in the absence of the injured Lionel Messi and is keen to add to his goal tally against Madrid—he netted in his first clash against Real in 2013 and in defeat at the Bernabeu last season.
Neymar has sent out a warning to Los Blancos that he knows how to perform against them and noted that Spanish Clasicos are "more calm" than those he played in when at Santos in Brazil, per Joaquim Piera of Sport:
I'm happy to play the Clasico again. Madrid suit me, I've already scored various goals, but now it's not enough for me to score just one. My family and friends flipped out the first time they saw Barcelona-Madrid, they were all in the stands. I always dreamed of playing in games like this. In Brazil I played many Clasicos with Santos, against Corinthians and Palmeiras and everything happened. Barcelona-Madrid clashes are more calm, it's a spectacle that the whole world sees. In the team there's commitment, and the dressing room is convinced that we can win, we go out to do that.
The Brazil captain has been in a rich vein of form this season, netting 11 times and providing six assists in his last 10 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League, per WhoScored.com.
His form, and that of striker Luis Suarez, has largely made up for the absence of Messi, and Barca's 3-0 victory over Villarreal on Saturday saw them move three points clear at the top of La Liga.
A victory over Real after the international break would open up a six-point gap, which could be crucial to this season's title race.
The Camp Nou giants could welcome Messi back for the Madrid clash. That would be a potentially huge boost as Barca are "stronger" with the Argentine in the side, according to Neymar, per Piera.
Even without Messi, though, Barca should have a good chance of taking at least a point from the Bernabeu as Real have not looked at their best recently, with star man Cristiano Ronaldo cutting a frustrated figure, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:
Real's defence will undoubtedly set up to shackle Neymar, but given the 23-year-old's form of late it would be no surprise if he proved the match-winner.
While few are currently doubting Neymar's ability he could truly establish himself as Barca's star man with a Messi-esque performance against Real, and he is clearly eager to produce some magic.
Neymar Rated World's Best Ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by Rivaldo
Brazil and Barcelona legend Rivaldo has had his say on whom he thinks is the best player in the world, and it's not Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo or Barcelona's Lionel Messi—it's Messi's team-mate, Neymar.
The 43-year-old wrote the following on his official Instagram account on Monday:
I would like to say that it has been good to see @Neymarjr playing for Barcelona and specially with this shirt 11, that I know very well. I do not know who will be the best in the world 2015, but in my humble opinion and respecting Cristiano Ronaldo Messi and others, Neymar deserves to be the best in the world.
Neymar has been in sumptuous form this season, having notched an incredible 13 goals and seven assists in just 14 appearances, and his tally of 11 strikes in the league makes him La Liga's leading scorer.
The Brazilian is already well on his way to equalling if not surpassing his astounding numbers from last year—39 goals and 11 assists, all told.
Squawka Football highlighted the way the 23-year-old has stepped out from Messi's shadow while the Argentinian has been injured:
Most recently, the forward scored a simply stunning goal against Villarreal, in which he flicked the ball over a defender's head before volleying it in.
Given Neymar's explosive form, coupled with Messi being injured and Ronaldo not quite firing on all cylinders, having netted in just four of his 11 league outings this season, Rivaldo's comments aren't as surprising as they might have been even at the start of the campaign.
Further, Rivaldo—who won the World Cup with the Selecao in 2002—is always likely to favour his compatriot and current national team captain when it comes to these discussions.
The perennial Messi vs. Ronaldo debate has raged on for years and will continue to do so well beyond their retirement.
If Neymar can maintain his current form, that debate could soon be a three-way contest.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário