Ivan Rakitic: 'Always nice to beat Real Madrid'

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has said that victories over Real Madrid are always important following Saturday night's El Clasico at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Barcelona recorded a 3-2 win over their Spanish rivals in the first ever Clasico in North America, with Gerard Pique scoring the decisive goal early in the second period.

The two teams will lock horns in the Spanish Super Cup before the new La Liga campaign gets underway, and Rakitic has said that it is always nice to beat their rivals, regardless of the occasion.

"We will see if we are better than Madrid," Rakitic told reporters. "This was a friendly game today but the victory always gives confidence. The Super Cup will be different as we will be playing for a trophy which is what is important."

Barcelona, who have also beaten Juventus and Manchester United this summer, will now return to Spain as they prepare to face Brazilian outfit Chapecoense in the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 7.