Karim Benzema claims Real Madrid are ready for El Clasico showdown - Goal.com

Karim Benzema - Real Madrid

Before the Blancos face second-placed Barca at the Bernabeu on December 10, they must first tackle Sporting Gijon, but Benzema admitted that he has already allowed thoughts of El Clasico to enter his mind.

"We have time to think about Barca," he is quoted as saying by Marca. "[But] beforehand we have another complicated appointment in Gijon. However, we're ready for the challenge."

Benzema has scored seven times in 11 appearances in the Primera Division, and the former Lyon striker reveals that Mourinho has been key to his resurgence.

"I feel [I have] the confidence of the coach and I try to respond in the field," he said.

Starting last week and continuing every Friday through to January, Goal.com will publish extracts from Graham Hunter's highly-anticipated book, Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World. Friday's second extract was about how Joan Laporta and Sandro Rosell used David Beckham as a vote-winner in the club elections of 2003, even though a deal was already done between Manchester United and Real Madrid.