SHOWS: BARCELONA, SPAIN (OCTOBER 27, 2018) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA COACH, ERNESTO VALVERDE, SAYING: "Before Messi and Cristiano, the Clasico existed and there were great players, a lot of tension and pigs flying (referring to the pig head that somebody threw at Figo at the Camp Nou), the Clasico is always the Clasico." 2.

WHITE FLASH 3.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FC BARCELONA COACH, ERNESTO VALVERDE, SAYING: "In the end we know Madrid's character.

When they are more injured, that is when they are more dangerous.

If we look at past years when they visited Camp Nou in difficult moments they have always responded and have done it well.

Tomorrow I expect to face the best Madrid, of course." STORY: For the first time since 2007, one of the biggest soccer matches in the global calendar - El Clasico - will not feature Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

But Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said on Saturday (October 27) the game still has all the ingredients to be another classic.

Barca, who will be without the injured Messi, sit top of La Liga on 18 points, the same as Espanyol and just one ahead of the chasing pack in what is shaping up to be the tightest title race in years.

Real coach Julen Lopetegui has come in for fierce criticism this season, having presided over a run of five games without a win - the team breaking a new club record in the process by eight hours and one minute without scoring.

Valverde warned however that Real have traditionally performed best when they have been under pressure.