Robert Pires backs Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann to come good for clasico

Former France international believes compatriot can 'rise to the challenge' against Real Madrid

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a penalty against Ferencvaros in Barca's 5-1 win at Camp Nou. He became the first player to score in 16 consecutive Champions League seasons. AFP

Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores from the penalty spot. AP

Lionel Messi during the match. Reuters

Ansu Fati, left, celebrates with teammate Francisco Trincao after scoring the second. EPA

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman during match. EPA

Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho celebrates his side's third goal. AP

Swiss referee Sandro Schaerer shows Gerard Pique the red card. EPA

Ferencvaros' Ukrainian midfielder Ihor Kharatin scores from the penalty spot. AFP

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman gives directions to his players. AP

Barcelona's Pedri celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Lionel Messi. Reuters

Pedri celebrates scoring their fourth goal. Reuters

Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele celebrates scoring their fifth goal. Reuters

Former France international Robert Pires has backed misfiring compatriot Antoine Griezmann to "rise to the challenge" for Barcelona in the upcoming clasico.

Greizmann, 29, has failed to score for Barca this season, so far, registering just one shot on target and has yet to supply a single chance for a teammate.

The former Atletico Madrid forward has been deployed on the right wing of a 4-2-3-1 formation under new manager Ronald Koeman in La Liga, a decision called into question by France manager Didier Deschamps in the international break.

Griezmann has struggled to justify his  €120 million ($142m) price tag since moving to the Catalan club in July 2019, scoring 15 goals in 52 appearances.

Deschamps played Griezmann in his preferred No 10 role for France in their recent Nations League game against Croatia, with the attacker reciprocating his faith by finding the net in a 2-1 win.

Griezmann said after the match that Deschamps "knows where to put me" in a thinly-veiled barb at his club manager.

“I take advantage of this situation, of this place, of the confidence of the coach and my teammates," Griezmann added.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's match that sees Griezmann and Barca take on their old rivals Real Madrid at Camp Nou, former Arsenal and Villarreal player Pires said: “When he plays for France he does it very well and with a greater degree of freedom.

“Barca fans know he isn’t the same when he plays for them.

"However, we know he’s good enough to play for Barcelona. There is a huge amount of pressure on the players in the clasico. I think he will be able to rise up to the challenge.

“He should reach his best level because he’s a very tough and good player. He knows his best position to play is as a forward but right now, he’s on the right side.

“He got to be smart when you are in a new situation with a new coach and new philosophy. As we always say, you need to work and work a lot.”

Another player going through a problematic spell at Barca is captain Lionel Messi.

The 33-year-old had slapped in a transfer request in the summer, unhappy at the direction he felt the club were going.

After a public spat between player and club, Messi grudgingly agreed to remain at Camp Nou, where he has spent his entire trophy-laden professional career.

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Gallery: Real Madrid 0 Cadiz 1

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Luis Garcia, the former Spain international who plied his trade at Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, has no doubt on which player the spotlight will be falling this weekend.

“If it has to be on a player, it would be on Messi,” he said. “At the end of the day everybody is looking at Messi. He has shown how much he is worth. He’s been through tough times in the last two months.

“The team I think is adjusting under a new coach, new system and some new players but we are all expecting a lot from Messi. We want to leave him at peace in the beginning to adjust and adapt.”

Samuel Eto’o, another former Barca player, is confident Messi will come back from his troubled summer to play a “decisive” role on Saturday.

Eto’o, said: “The two teams have quality players. Barcelona has Messi. He was very good last season and what I want is Barcelona to win. Let’s see what happens.

“I would like to think Messi to be most decisive player in the clasico, but firstly, I want Barcelona to win this derby.”

Eto’o believes that French international Karim Benzema, who has scored 250 goals for Real, remains the player who can steal Messi's thunder.

“Benzema can decide the match for Real because a lot of things happened for Messi in the summer,” he said.

“Messi was going to leave and then he wasn’t going to leave. Here, Messi decides the things.”

Real Madrid are currently third in La Liga on 10 points, a point behind leaders Real Sociedad. Barca are down in ninth on seven points.