Real Madrid midfielder Guti gave a post-training press conference today before los Merengues take on Sevilla on Saturday evening in the Santiago Bernabeu.
In comments reported by Marca, Guti believes that Barcelona are experiencing a slight dip in form at the moment.
"They [Barca] have had a lot of injuries, but things are harder now for them than they were previously. We hope they drop points as soon as possible and that we will be able to take advantage so that El Clasico in the Bernabeu will be the deciding match."
"I am convinced that El Clasico will be the key, Guti said, referencing the match on April 11th. "It is unlikely for either team to drop points before then. We want to win El Clasico and furthermore with a convincing result "
Included in coach Manuel Pellegrini's squad list for the match tomorrow, Guti is expected to return against Sevilla after nearly a month out from his previous injury and confirmed that he had recovered his fitness and that he "hopes to have minutes and continuity "
The midfielder also emphasised Madrid's evolution over the season.
"We began the season without playing at the level the fans demanded of us, but it has been difficult having changed so many players and a coach. We had to adapt and today we are performing very well "
Guti also used Madrid's victory at the Riazor against Deportivo La Coruna, a venue los Blancos had not won at in 18 years, as a point of inflection.
"There was a 'before' and 'after' the Depor match. We were all very worried about that match. We beat them with a very good performance and after that game, the team has been much more offensive, more ambitious, with a hunger to score goals, and a desire to do something big this season "
Commenting on Sevilla's visit to the Spanish capital tomorrow, Guti anticipated an entertaining match and also had words of praise for Sevilla winger Jesus Navas.
"I have always liked playing against Sevilla. They are very entertaining matches for the spectators and always feature a lot of goals. We come into this match after two very good results and there is no better way for us to vindicate ourselves and give ourselves a boost of morale against Lyon than by beating Sevilla "
"They are a great team and are one of the top three or four in our country. We need to be careful with them, especially on the wing where they have players like Navas, [ Diego] Perotti, and [ Diego] Capel "
"Navas is in great form and has a lot of confidence in his play. Sevilla also have some strong forwards and they could give us a bad day if we don't go into the match focused and ready to fight for every ball."