Former Barcelona striker Thierry Henry is adamant Luis Enrique’s side have the firepower to beat Real Madrid if Lionel Messi is restricted to the substitutes bench.
– #360FANS: Where to watch El Clasico in Abu Dhabi
– #360FANS: Where to watch El Clasico in Dubai
– FOLLOW: Live football scores from around the world
– SHARE, RATE, WIN with Sport360 and ValoraFutbol
The Argentine has been out of action since he suffered a knee injury in the 2-1 defeat of Las Palmas at the back end of September.
In the absence of the four-time World Player of the Year, Luis Suarez and Neymar have excelled and propelled Barcelona to a three-point lead over Real at the top of La Liga.
Should the 28-year-old start from the bench, Henry, who spent three years at Barca between 2007 and 2010, believes they will still be in a strong position despite missing one part of the deadly ‘MSN’ trio.
“The system relies on the team. The front three has a big part to play in it of course but ultimately you need an overall performance,” he said. “Leo is the best player in the world and he’s been missing but Luis Suarez and Neymar have been stepping up in his place.
“It’s not only Leo. It’s not only the front three either. It’s an amazing club with amazing youngsters.”
Henry admits he doesn’t know what to make of Rafael Benitez’s Madrid who lie just three points behind the Blaugrana in La Liga.
“Now, what’s going to happen in the Clasico? I actually don’t know. It’s a really weird Real Madrid we see at times. Sometimes they play so well and other times they don’t,” he added.
“They will hope to rectify that in the Clasico but Barca have arrived in better form. That doesn’t mean anything when it comes to this fixture, though.”
