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Real Madrid full of confidence ahead of El Clasico, says Zinedine Zidane

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 21: Coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid CF gives instructions during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF
Image: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insists his side are full of confidence ahead of El Clasico

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insists his side travel to Barcelona on Saturday full of confidence after opening up a six-point lead over Luis Enrique's side at the top of La Liga.

The La Liga leaders haven't tasted defeat all season amid a 32-game unbeaten run stretching back to April.

Just prior to that streak starting, Madrid ended a 39-game unbeaten run by Barca by coming from behind to win 2-1 at the Camp Nou.

And Zidane believes Madrid will have far more confidence to express themselves having started very nervously on their last visit before roaring back to win in the final half hour.

Zinedine Zidane feels Cristiano Ronaldo should stay at Real Madrid until he retires
Image: Zidane thinks Cristiano Ronaldo will be crucial for Real Madrid at Barcelona

"Tomorrow will be totally different," Zidane said at his pre-match press conference..

"Last year we went there with our buttocks clenched, I apologise for the language, but we need to have the same mentality.

"I want us to be just as prepared as we were last year, but play like we are now."

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Barca's performance in a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad last weekend was described by Barca boss Luis Enrique as they worst in his three season tenure.

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 27:  Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona duels for the ball with Yuri Berchiche of Real Sociedad during the La Liga match between
Image: Barcelona could only draw 1-1 at Real Scoeidad last weekend

However, Zidane expects the response of champions from Barca to a week of stinging criticism.

"We are playing against a champion and in the big games the champions are always good in the big games."

Madrid will be without the injured Gareth Bale for the trip to the Nou Camp with the Welshman set to be sidelined for up to four months after undergoing ankle surgery.

However, Zidane is hoping Cristiano Ronaldo's return to form can fill Bale's void after the Portuguese scored five times in his last two outings to move clear as La Liga's top scorer on 10 for the season.

MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 19:  Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's 3rd goal during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de M
Image: Ronaldo will lead the line for Real at the Nou Camp

"He is very important for the rest of the team because he has tremendous energy," the Frenchman said.

"He still has the hunger to win and that is good for the group."

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