The Guardian:
The timing could not have been better. If Ruud van Nistelrooy felt a twang of sadness at missing out on Liverpool-Manchester United, compensation comes with the biggest game in the universe. As the Dutchman's former team-mates kick off against their bitterest rivals at Old Trafford tomorrow afternoon, he will be counting down to Real Madrid versus Barcelona at the Bernabéu. David Beckham, however, will only be among the substitutes, missing his first clásico kick-off since joining Real in 2003.
"I imagine it will be like a Manchester United v Liverpool game. I've played in lots of those matches and the atmosphere is always really special. For lots of people it is their entire life," Van Nistelrooy said. "But Madrid v Barcelona is the match the whole world will be watching. It's the biggest game in the universe."
Raúl warned that victory is vital as defeat would leave Real eight points behind the champions. And yet Madrid are the favourites after a 4-1 win over Steaua Bucharest in midweek while Barcelona lost at Chelsea. Raúl said he had not even seen the game; Van Nistelrooy did, but warned: "The Chelsea game is nothing to do with it. Barça will already have forgotten about that game."