EXCLUSIVE: Former Real midfielder Esteban Granero believes his old club can upset the odds at Camp Nou despite disappointing results in the lead-up to the famous fixture

By Adrian Boullosa & Ben HaywardThe pressure is on for Real Madrid. Just three weeks ago, Carlo Ancelotti's side led La Liga by four points from fierce rivals Barcelona. But ahead of Sunday's Clasico clash at Camp Nou, it is the in-form Catalans who top the table as Los Blancos battle to stay in the race.Madrid had ended 2014 on the finest run in their entire history as they racked up a Spanish-record 22 victories in all competitions to finish off the year in style, claiming the Club World Cup and looking very much in the ascendancy as Barca struggled to find their feet in La Liga.But 2015 has seen a role reversal. The Blaugrana got back to their brilliant best in recent weeks, led by an inspired Lionel Messi. Madrid, meanwhile, have suffered five defeats already this year and went three games wihout a win earlier in March. In that time even their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has endured a dramatic dip in form. All is not well right now at the Santiago Bernabeu.

So has the Clasico come at the worst possible time for Real or is it an ideal opportunity for Ancelotti's men to prove their prowess against the eternal enemy after a forgettable few weeks?



"I'm sure it will be a great game because the best players in the world will be out on the pitch," former Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero told Goal in an exclusive interview. "It's something very special."

Granero is now at Real Sociedad but came through the youth system at Madrid and made close to 100 appearances for Los Blancos before leaving in 2012.



In his three seasons as a senior Real Madrid squad member, Granero - who also spent a year at QPR - featured in four Clasico matches, mainly in the Copa Del Rey. And he believes Los Blancos know how to handle the hype.



"I am following Madrid's current situation but obviously from a distance now," he said. "They have to be relaxed. It's a club where there is always great pressure if there are a series of poor results.



"Despite that, I believe the players, the club and the coach are used to it. And I'm sure they are capable of turning this around. Everybody does their job and journalists do theirs.



"I have experienced it first-hand and I know there is great pressure at the club, but the players and the coach know how to cope with that pressure very well."



Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos returned in the 2-0 win over Levante last weekend after recovering from their respective injuries and their availability for the Clasico clash provides a big boost for Ancelotti, yet the fantastic form of Barca and Messi in particular means Luis Enrique's side are fancied by most to claim victory in Sunday's showdown at Camp Nou.

Real's return to winning ways went some way to alleviating their recent woes, but the victory over Levante at home was still subdued compared to the team's pristine performances late last year and criticism has continued in the lead-up to the Clasico - a match that could define their season in La Liga.



"A lot of bad things are being said about them," Granero added. "But they are still in the fight and they will be until the end of the season. They can handle it.



"I may not be objective, but for me Real Madrid are always favourites in the Clasico."





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