Thursday 3 May 2018 19:37, UK
Barcelona's Luis Suarez grew up watching El Clasico and says he still relishes playing in the fixture, ahead of Sunday's game with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, live on Sky Sports Football.
Suarez has scored five goals in nine games in the famous fixture since he joined from Liverpool in 2014, and says he still recognises the enormity of the occasion even having experienced success in the biggest competitions in club football.
"Obviously they are all special games," he told Sky Sports ahead of El Clasico, live on Sky Sports Football on Sunday from 7pm. "I was lucky enough to watch many of them, and then had the opportunity to play in this fixture.
"It's incredible. It's a spectacle for everyone, despite the fact that as a player you suffer with nerves and anxiety. The most important thing is to put on a good show, because it's the most watched game in the world.
"There's always something, and not just because of the goals, that makes you admire what it is to play in this game. Obviously what I remember most is my first goal in a Clasico in the 2014/15 season.
"Besides it being my first goal in that fixture, it was a goal that almost clinched the title for us, which was something very important in my first season.
"Then there were the two goals that I scored at the Bernabeu in the 4-0 win, which were very important. You want to win these types of games at all cost. You can play nice football or not, but the important thing is to win these games.
"The fans are very into everything that goes on around El Clasico and that motivates the players a lot when they come out for these games."
This Clasico will be even more of a special occasion for Barcelona as they play their first home game since being crowned La Liga champions last weekend.
With four matches of the league season remaining, they also have an unbeaten record to defend.
"We are the only team that haven't lost yet; we've drawn some games, but not lost. That's down to us and to the coach's hard work," said Suarez.
"The competition that rewards consistency is La Liga. You have to play well every weekend in order to be the champions. I think that we are worthy winners because of how we've handled the entire year, and the numbers show that we haven't lost a game yet.
"Obviously we are frustrated about the Champions League, because of how the games turned out, but that's in the past now. We have to focus on the present."
Reflecting on his own season, which has seen him score 23 goals in 28 games after missing the start with injury, Suarez said: "I had a difficult start to the season because of my knee injury. I'm very critical and demanding of myself. When things don't go well for me, I feel bad about not being able to help the team; not only with goals or assists.
"I wanted to help the team, and I didn't like how I was doing. I wanted to change it. Luckily my condition improved a lot after the injury, and later on everything began to work out for me, due to the strength and bravery I had and the support of my team-mates - despite me having not had some very good games. Things went well for me after my recovery."
Suarez also says he expects Real Madrid to provide a difficult test, even though they have nothing left to play for in La Liga.
"Besides what Real Madrid represent and the quality of the players they have, the majority of players have a lot of experience in El Clasico. They know what playing in these types of games means, and they will be very tough opposition."
Watch El Clasico live on Sky Sports from 7pm on Sunday
