The Catalan coach feels the occasion of his side's upcoming clash with the Blancos next week has been greatly exaggerated, after he proceeded to put the match into perspective
Pep Guardiola has played down the significance of his Barcelona side's forthcoming Clasico encounter with Real Madrid, after claiming the Euro summit on December 9 holds more importance.
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The 40-year-old told reporters at a press conference for his team's Champions League meeting with BATE Borisov on Tuesday that people should be more concerned about the outcome of French prime minister Nicolas Sarkozy and German leader Angela Merkel's proposal to salvage the currency, than the outcome of the bout at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
"The most important thing comes on December 9; [Angela] Merkel and [Nicolas] Sarkozy saving the euro, not the Clasico," said Guardiola.
"The pressure is that people [are forced to] live each day during this crisis. We are not pretentious, we have to win every day. We're a big club and that is what is asked of us."
Guardiola then discussed their Group H fixture against the Belarusian champions, which will conclude their group stage campaign, and he opined that the match should be a good workout for more of the peripheral figures in his squad.
"[Our youngsters] are talented players and it is good to see them play. We will help develop them the best we possibly can," he continued.
"I hope they are daring to run, try hard, and play without fearing what I think. My opinion of them will not change, regardless of if they play well or badly."
The Barca boss ended up offering his analysis on the forthcoming Clasico, and insists that it will be decided purely on who wants to win more, while finishing with a cryptic message to arch-rival Jose Mourinho.
"[After] tomorrow I will focus on Real Madrid. They know us very well, and although there are nuances, we are broadly similar and we are two teams of a high level. I will turn to the issue and speak to Tito [Vilanova]. The important thing is our attitude, and the question is how to approach the game, nothing more.
"I do not make assumptions and respond to what my colleagues are doing," he concluded.
Kick-off against BATE at Camp Nou is scheduled for 20:45CET.
