Ernesto Valverde claims Barcelona remain focused

Ernesto Valverde has claimed that Barcelona remained focused on their next game with Deportivo La Coruna in the La Liga and are not distracted by the El-Clasico showdown with Real Madrid.

Real Madrid was able to defend the Club World Cup against Gremio on Saturday which means Barcelona could move 11 points clear of the Los Blancos on top of the La Liga table if they managed a victory over Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday at the Camp Nou.

Ronaldo sends message to Barca ahead of el-Clasico showdown

A victory over Real Madrid in the El-Clasico could end the defending Champions hope of retaining the La Liga trophy, but Valverde stressed that he is not looking beyond the next game.

“What we’re thinking about doing is winning our game tomorrow. There’s no point worrying about next week’s game before thinking about tomorrow’s game,” he told reporters.

“I don’t think that (Real match) has affected the players, they are concerned about tomorrow. So no, but no means whatsoever are we distracted by the Clasico.”

Barca would also move six points clear of second-place Atletico Madrid with a win over Deportivo.