'Everybody is scared of Real, but Madrid is scared of Barca'

Yaya Toure is one of the most decorated African footballers. In his rich career, the Ivory coach midfielder played for major clubs (Barcelona, Manchester City, Monaco) and won it all: UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, two Spanish titles and one Cup and three Premier League titles, along with four Cups and African Cup of Nations for Ivory Coast. With all this rich experience, he decided to give it a go as a coach, and is now working at the Tottenham Academy.

But he is keen on watching La Liga as well, since he left his mark as a Barcelona player. In a big interview for Spanish Marca, he talked about Barca, Real, Messi and Arsenal. And the most talked about subject in Spain these days is the second leg of Spanish Cup which is scheduled for tonight. Another El Clasico will be played and Toure has no dilemma who will win.

„Barca has an advantage. They already won in the first leg and have more options in the second leg. I don't think it's a tie and, if it does, it will be something like 2-2 or 3-3, I don't see a 0-0 or 0-1. The way Barça is now, they will win the game and, probably, the Cup. As a Barca fan I love beating Madrid“ predicted Toure.

Yaya would pay so that he could watch Partey play

But, the Ivorian does know very well that his bitter rivals have a winning mentality, and they proved it so many times. On the other hand, Toure knows the only team which scares Real.

„Madrid has always had that strength and we know it. He has quality and mentality, which is very different. Whenever I've played against Madrid, you get the impression that they can win. He has that winning and fighting mentality. In the last minutes they push hard to win. In Europe all the teams are afraid of Madrid, but Madrid is afraid of Barcelona. And it has always been so“ said former Barca man.

Yaya Toure hopes to settle the feud with Pep Guardiola

As Manchester City midfielder, Toure won three league titles and he cannot predict so easily that Arsenal will win this year.

„It is difficult for City because Arsenal is playing very good football. They need to win every game to have options. They will try it in the next games. Arsenal have the advantage, but they still have to play against Manchester. If you win there... the streak is shortened and there may be options. I think there will be a dispute until the end. It is also the turn of the London team to play against Newcastle or Liverpool, but they are strong and can beat anyone“ said Toure.

Whole of France and Spain is talking about Lionel Messi's possible return to Barcelona and if that happens, Toure has no doubt that his return will be successful.

„If it does I'd be surprised, but oh well. In football you don't know what can happen. Everything Messi has done during his career is impressive. He has done it all, including winning the last World Cup. I don't know if he is going to continue in Paris or if he will return, from what I see in the press. Let's see what happens. Barca would do well. I only see Messi finishing his career in Barcelona. But I don't know what will happen to him because he still has a contract, we'll see what happens next season“ admits the Ivorian.

COPA DEL REY

Semi-finals - 2nd leg

Tuesday

Ath.Bilbao - Osasuna 1-1 (1-0) AET

/Williams 33 - Ibanez 116/

Osasuna qualify on aggregates 1-2

Wednesday

22:00: (2.50) Barcelona (3.50) Real Madrid (3.00)

***odds are subject to change***