Jürgen Klopp admits why he used to root for Barcelona in El Clásico: "I hated when Pepe went hard on everyone"

Jürgen Klopp, Germany's current head coach and former Liverpool manager, shared his thoughts on the Clásico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, set for Sunday at the Spotify Camp Nou. The German admitted he never misses this fixture and, despite trying to sound neutral, made his leaning toward the Catalan club quite clear.

• Klopp says El Clásico is a match he loves to watch and has followed at every stage of his life.
• The German coach claims he now supports the better team and believes that, right now, that team is Barcelona.
• He admitted that in the past he rooted for Barça because of the aggressive style of Pepe and other Real Madrid defenders.
• His comments were made on DAZN during the Champions League matches between Bayern Munich and Arsenal.

A Clásico Klopp never wants to miss

For Klopp, the clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid belongs to the kind of game every football fan marks on the calendar. The German coach said it is a match he especially enjoys and one he has followed closely throughout his career, both from the dugout and from home. Sunday's meeting at the Spotify Camp Nou will be no different.

It is a match I love to watch.

Who Klopp supports today: 'Whichever team is better'

Germany's head coach tried to remain diplomatic when asked about his current preference. He explained that his support goes to the team performing at the highest level, without committing to any badge. In that regard, he did not hesitate to point out that FC Barcelona currently appear to be one step ahead. The side coached by Hansi Flick has shown a convincing version in recent months and arrives at the fixture aiming to strengthen its grip on the LaLiga title.

Today, I am with whichever team is better. And the way things stand, that team is probably Barcelona.

His Barcelona past and the memory of Pepe

Klopp did not limit himself to talking about the present and also looked back at his past relationship with the Clásico. He admitted there was a time when his sympathy for Barcelona was stronger, though not because of the style of play the team displayed. The reason was quite different: the physicality with which Pepe and other Real Madrid defenders punished their opponents. That aggressive defending made him root for Barça in every meeting.

The confession reveals one of the key principles of Klopp's football philosophy: his rejection of excessive physical play when it turns into something nastier. The former Liverpool boss has always defended intensity in the right way, but without crossing the line. His dislike for that era of Real Madrid, with Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Arbeloa, pushed him toward the Catalan side for years.

What Barcelona and Real Madrid are playing for at the Camp Nou

Sunday's Clásico arrives at a pivotal moment in the season. Real Madrid visit Barcelona needing points to stay in the title race. Barcelona, meanwhile, want to make home advantage count and extend their lead at the top of the table. A positive result for Flick's side would leave LaLiga almost decided with just a few matchdays remaining.

Beyond the points, the match represents another battle for supremacy in Spanish football. Barça have regained momentum after several inconsistent years and want to establish themselves once again as the benchmark. Real Madrid, used to competing for every trophy, will not give up on the chance to strike a blow in hostile territory.

Frequently asked questions about Klopp and El Clásico