Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet has described El Clasico matches against Real Madrid as “the game that seems to freeze time.”
The Frenchman was speaking ahead of a double-header of the fixture, with Madrid hosting the Blaugrana in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final before Saturday’s league clash.
“As players, we are in our little bubble but when we come out, we realise it is a different game from the others because of the power it has around the world,” Lenglet told an interview with AFP.
“It's a game that seems to freeze time.
“I could never have imagined I'd come so far so quickly, I went to Sevilla and for me that was a big jump.
“No disrespect to Nancy, but they were worlds apart. To then be at Barcelona a year and a half later, I could never have imagined it.
“This month is pivotal, there is the Champions League and these two games against Real, when we can qualify for a cup final and then gain or lose points on them in the league.
“We have to manage them properly. It could be pivotal for the rest of the season.
“The dynamics are completely different now (compared to the 5-1 match earlier in the campaign). These are the European champions. They have turned the tide.”
