Anything can happen in El Clasico, says former Real Madrid captain Hierro

Fernando Hierro says it is impossible to predict the outcome of any meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Real Madrid has won just one of its past five games in all competitions.

Anything can happen when Real Madrid hosts Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday, according to Fernando Hierro.

Barcelona heads into the clash at the Santiago Bernabeu top of La Liga, having capitalised on Madrid drawing with Celta Vigo and losing to Levante in their previous two matches to go two points clear.

Following a 2-1 home loss in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Manchester City on Wednesday, Zinedine Zidane's side has won just one of its past five games in all competitions.

While the form book therefore suggests Barcelona has the upper hand, Hierro — a five-time La Liga and three-time Champions League winner with Madrid — believes it is impossible to anticipate the outcome of any match between the clubs.

 

"The most important thing, given the rivalry, is the joy everyone feels: the club, the fans. And how it really gives you a boost. But anything can happen in El Clasico, as we've seen," said Hierro, courtesy of La Liga.

"We lost when we were La Liga champions, we lost at home when we virtually had La Liga wrapped up, we've won in Barcelona when nobody expected us to. There are no guarantees in El Clasico. The standings don't matter; your form doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you're top of the table, or if you're La Liga champions. They're special games. Anything can happen, and that's fantastic."