MX23RW : Tuesday, December 24 01:34:25| >> :600:94789:94789:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
La Liga
Oct 26, 2013 at 5pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

2-1

Neymar (19'), Sanchez (78')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Jese (90')

Gerardo Martino wants referee to be tough on Real Madrid's "violent play"

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino wants the referee to be tough on Real Madrid's "violent play" in Saturday's El Clasico.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has called on the referee to put an end to the "violent play" from Real Madrid in Saturday's El Clasico.

Last season's Clasicos saw 16 yellows and one red card handed out over the course of two fiery contests, but Martino said that he wants the officials to get firm on any tough challenges.

"Am I afraid of Madrid's violent play? No, every team plays according to their possibilities and there's a referee who should judge," Martino told the press ahead of the game.

The Argentine coach also revealed that he decided on his starting XI before the 1-1 draw with AC Milan on Tuesday evening.

Martino added: "I already had the line-up for tomorrow decided before the game against AC Milan. I would only have changed if something happened.

"Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Xavi are all great and would play everywhere. By leaving players out I'm always close to committing an injustice [because of the quality of that player]."

Victory for Barcelona on Saturday would extend their lead in La Liga to four points.

ID:113622: cacheID:113622:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2441:
Written by
Paul Gorst
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Gerard Pique and Cristiano Ronaldo exchange views during the Copa del Rey semi-final in February 2013.
Read Next:
Barca, Madrid combined XI
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!