Former Real Madrid manager Benito Floro says there are no favourites for the Clasico this weekend.
Los Blancos come into the game at the Santiago Bernabeu on the back of a 3-2 defeat to Sevilla two weeks ago – their first defeat of the season. Barcelona, meanwhile, have done well in the absence of Leo Messi and won the last four games to lead La Liga by three points.
Speaking to Marca, Floro, who now manages the Canadian national side, said form goes out the window for the Clasico. “There are no favourites in El Clasico. The clubs’ form going into the game counts for nothing,” he stated.
Floro won the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa during his two years in charge between 1992 and 1994. And having been in the dugout himself, is in a position to reveal the pressures of the job. He also denied that a falling out his his players led to his downfall.
“I didn’t have a poor relationship with my players. In fact, it was really good. That wasn’t why I left. The day-to-day battle is no bed of roses for a RMCF manager. When a coach is too easy-going, the team gain nothing,” he commented.
He also gave his thoughts on current boss Rafa Benitez. He stated: “Rafa’s a traditional coach, like Capello or Mourinho. He has a clearly defined game plan, with two lines of four. Rafa’s a coach like so many others, with his own ideas and principles. I don’t think coaches are that different.”
