Di Stefano: Barca currently the best

By ESPNSTAR.com staff

The crucial match on Sunday will pit the two arch-rivals in another battle with Barcelona threatening to steer clear of Real in the title race and go 11 points ahead with a win at their home stadium. 

Real are quietly optimistic, however, that they will be able to inflict a first defeat in the league on their Catalan rivals and have been boosted by a message of support from Real icon Zinedine Zidane. 

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"Good luck for the win. The team is playing well," Zidane was quoted as saying by Marca.

But Di Stefano believes that Barcelona, especially in their current form, are a better side than any other team in the La Liga. 

"It will be a very difficult game. Both teams have players who can win them the tie," the 86-year-old told ESPN.

"Barcelona play outstanding football, which they won't change, whether they win or lose. They are superior to everyone because they have about four or five individuals who are outstanding footballers. You can't ignore the truth."

The naturalised Spaniard hopes his former side will win of course, so that they can begin the process of climbing up the table. 

"I hope Real Madrid win and then we can start to strike fear into the teams above us."

Meanwhile, Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova is not allowing their side's brilliant start to the season - they have registered nine wins from 10 matches in all competitions - to carry them away.

He pointed out that the expensively-assembled Real squad is brimming with taltent and they should never be underestimated.

"Barcelona-Real Madrid never has clear favourites, regardless of where the teams each lie in the table. We've not beaten them all the time by a 5-0 scoreline. They have a very good squad, costing many millions more than ours," said Vilanova.

"All I'm focused on is claiming a seventh-consecutive victory, something no one else has achieved before."

As assistant manager under Pep Guardiola, Vilanova was also involved in an infamous incident in the Supercopa de Espana last season when Real coach Jose Mourinho poked him in the eye.

Vilanova insists, however, that there is nothing personal between between him and the Portuguese.

"Tomorrow [Sunday], you will only see a football game, nothing more. While there is a rivalry, this is related to sports, and has nothing to do with politics.

"I've seen what has been broadcast on television [regarding the eye-poke], but I can say I am comfortable with my behaviour. I can say nothing more in that regard."