Barcelona and Bulgaria legend Hristo Stoichkov believes the only way Real Madrid can stop Lionel Messi is by “kicking him”.
Stoichkov, however, doesn’t believe Manuel Pellegrini’s team will resort to such bully-boy tactics at the Bernabeu.
He told Marca that “the physicality” will be an important factor, but “if this does happen, Messi will be too clever to fall for it”.
“However, if there is no kicking, I don’t see how they can stop him.”
Stoichkov added: “This game is Real’s last chance to win the championship. If they do not beat Barca, they can say goodbye to the title.”