the Barcelona and Real Madrid players gathered at the same hotel eight hours before the match for security reasons.

Before the season's first edition of the prestigious El Clasico clash between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid on Wednesday evening outside of the football field played a big role.

the Fight should really be the game 26. October, but was moved as a result of the massive protests in connection with the tense political situation in Catalonia.

In connection with Wednesday's match is also taken major security concerns which affect the two teams, fighting for the league's first place finish.

Around 3000 security personnel have been deployed for the match at the Nou Camp, and both teams have been given instructions to meet up at the same hotel eight hours before kick-off.

the Players, the coaches and judges will be transported to the stadium two hours before the match is finished in time.

- There are some small changes, but not significant for us. When we play at stamford bridge, shall we meet also in a hotel. It is not a big problem, says Barcelona's coach, Ernesto Valverde, on Tuesday, according to AFP news agency.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane describing the circumstances as "something different, but the rules are the rules".

Barcelona calls, in a message on its website, the fans who have ticket to the game, to use public transport and come in good time to the stadium due to extra security checks.

the Club hope that no fans will be at home because of the riots, but urged to come and support the team.

- the Match between Barcelona and Real Madrid is a football feast, and at the same time, it is without doubt compatible with a peaceful demonstration in the light of the exceptional circumstances in Catalonia at this time.

- the Camp Nou is a place for free speech where all opinions are welcome, as long as they are expressed with respect, says on the club's website.

the Unrest in Catalonia broke out in October, when the supreme court sentenced nine Catalan leaders between 9 and 13 years in prison for a løsrivelseskampagne in the region in 2017.

the Catalonian parliament and the regional government is dominated by the separatist parties, but the area's population is deeply divided on the question of secession.

Polls show that about 44 percent of the citizens in Catalonia's independence, while about 48 percent are opposed.

Up to half a million people were on the streets to express their anger against the verdict in the supreme court.

the Movement Democratic Tsunami has called on protesters to gather around the Camp Nou stadium four hours before kick-off.

El Clasico finished in time at 20. Before the match both teams 35 points after 16 matches. Barcelona tops the table in La Liga because of a better goal difference than Real Madrid in second place.

/ritzau/