Real Madrid - Barcelona: 'In a Clasico, it's about being part of history' - Victor Sanchez

For Sanchez, who won the league and Champions League with Los Blancos, Madrid-Barca "is the biggest game there is without a title at stake. In Spain we feel that they are the biggest teams in the world.

"The international successes of both, but especially Real Madrid with 14 Champions League titles in 17 finals played, which is impressive and has an overwhelming impact, help to make this rivalry also felt in other corners of the world." 

So much so that there is no need for extra motivation. On the contrary, the coaches even have to lower the euphoria of their players to face the duel.

He explained: "What is needed is to adjust that motivation because too much of it can be counterproductive when it comes to competing. I remember a tremendous excitement in the days leading up to the match.

"I identified it as the best opportunity to do something great. When you face rivals of that level, it always becomes an opportunity to have performances that will go down in history and that is one of the great motivations of athletes, not only to win but to become part of the history of sport."

The big stars

There are many candidates to achieve it, if they are not already in the soccer pantheon of greats. Victor highlights a few.

"Karim Benzema (34), the next Ballon d'Or, who is not fine after the injury, he does not look fresh, but he is the best player in the world today. And in this type of match, physical issues are left behind and talent comes to the fore. That's why I expect him to be at his best."

There is more, both at Madrid and Barca.

"Vinicius Junior (22) is taking on an impressive leadership role for the team and deciding games. Federico Valverde (24)has joined that category of turning games around with individual actions, just like Rodrygo (21) or Luka Modric (37), of course.

"But there are also defensive individualities. Thibault Courtois (30) has not started at his highest level, but I would tell you the same as with Benzema. David Alaba (30), Eder Militao (24) and Antonio Rudiger (29) make the difference in defence.

At Barca, Robert Lewandowski (34) and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (30) are standing out, they dominate the areas and have given a lot of points this season. Sergio Busquets (34) is also key for me, but we have to see his ability to distribute efforts because the amount of minutes he has been playing can take its toll. We can also add Pedri (19) because of his talent to generate play and chances from the position he occupies". 

Physical condition is key... and that's where Real Madrid are better

Before Barca's disastrous 3-3 draw on Wednesday night in the Champions League against Inter, perhaps because they had regained the lead in LaLiga, it seemed that Xavi's men were favoured even though the derby will be played at the Bernabeu. But for Sanchez del Amo there have been no doubts before or after the midweek fixtures - it is Real Madrid who come out on top.

And he argues: "On a technical and tactical level they both have a very high level, top potential. But I think the physical aspect is decisive and conditions are the other two aspects. And there I think Madrid have a big advantage because they have grown a lot from last season to this one.

"The arrival of Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni (22) have given the team a tremendous physical boost. And then the growth of young players like Eduardo Camavinga (19), Valverde, Vinicius or Rodrygo.

"We see a very fresh team, with options to replace older players who also still show a very good physique, such as Modric."

And all this he contrasts with the slumps that the Catalan team is suffering in the second halves of games.

"They are being faithful to their style, but it's costing them more because when the rivals outplay you physically they are also capable of counteracting your game, and we are seeing that many teams are capable of dominating Barcelona, locking them in their area, taking the ball away from them, something that was unthinkable when we saw Barca at their technical, tactical and physical peak.

"And it has not only been in Europe with Bayern or Inter, but in the Spanish league we have also seen them dominated by lower profiles.

"Even so, Barca has that wild card of striking or individuality, both Ter Stegen and Lewandowski are at an outstanding individual level, dominating both areas, and are giving them a lot of points.

"But for me, Madrid are in a better situation, with greater consistency in their performance."

In any case, what the former Real Betis manager stresses is that this Casico will not be definitive in the fight for the title.

"If one wins, they will have a three-point difference over the other, but with everything that remains, it would be ridiculous to establish a competitive difference."

Beyond those three points, beyond the victory, in a Real Madrid-Barcelona match many other things are at stake: pride, passion, honour.

And we will enjoy quality, a lot of quality. The one that will offer us some of the greatest stars of the soccer firmament.