3,000 police and security deployed for El Clasico

ISTANBUL

About 3,000 police officers and private security agents will be deployed for rescheduled Barcelona - Real Madrid football match on Wednesday.

Barcelona and Real Madrid will meet in the 'El Clasico' showdown on Wednesday at Nou Camp.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid players will stay at the same hotel before El Clasico for security reasons.

The teams will go to the Nou Camp at the match day with unmarked buses due to protests.

El Clasico was scheduled for October 26 but it had to be postponed after a wave of pro-independence demonstrations in Barcelona.

Spanish first football division 'La Liga' title contenders Barcelona and Real Madrid failed to win on weekend ahead of the 'El Clasico' match.

Barcelona drew 2-2 over Real Sociedad in an away game as Real Madrid rescued one point with Karim Benzema's last minute goal over Valencia, 1-1.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid collected 35 points in 16 league matches, as Barcelona top La Liga with goal difference.

Real Madrid's James Rodriguez, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez, Marcelo and Eden Hazard, Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele and Arthur Melo will be out of squads due to injuries.

"We know that we face a great team and that they have Messi, but we also have our weapons,'' Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"I am not worried about the Clasico. I am happy to be able to play a game like that," he added.