Cristiano Ronaldo baffled by Real Madrid v Barcelona scheduling

Omnisports Pulse

October 23, 2014 8:18 AM

Cristiano Ronaldo has questioned why Real Madrid will face Barcelona on Saturday but still backed the European champions to win El Clasico.

Real and arch-rivals Barca lock horns for the first time this season at the Santiago Bernabeu this weekend.

The eagerly-awaited encounter comes just three days after Carlo Ancelotti's side tormented Liverpool in a 3-0 UEFA Champions League victory at Anfield.

La Liga leaders Barca were in action 24 hours earlier, beating Ajax 3-1 at Camp Nou to move a step closer to qualifying from Group F.

Imperious forward Ronaldo, who scored his 20th goal of the season on Merseyside, is baffled as to why El Clasico is not scheduled for Sunday and played down talk of a duel between him and Lionel Messi.

He said: "It will be a difficult match because Barcelona are playing well. I'm not going to play against Messi, I'm going to play against Barcelona. They are a great team. Real Madrid and Barcelona are playing each other.

"We're not going to make any excuses. But I don't understand why they put the match on Saturday.

"It is a difficult match and all footballers know that an extra day's rest is significant. Cup matches aren't so important. However, I don't want to make excuses because the team is fine and confident."

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