Adriano: 'We are relieved Real Madrid sold Mesut Ozil'

Barcelona defender Adriano has claimed that it is a "relief" for him and his teammates that Real Madrid will be without Mesut Ozil in the future.

Both Spanish giants are poised to renew hostilities later today when they clash at Camp Nou for the first El Clasico of the new campaign.

The 24-year-old faced the Catalans no fewer than 16 times throughout his three-year stint in the Spanish capital, before joining Arsenal for a club record £42m in September.

Nonetheless, the creative German seemingly left a mark on the famous fixture, with Adriano drawing solace from the fact that Real will be without the playmaker for future encounters.

"It's a relief that Ozil is not at Real Madrid," the 28-year-old told Goal.com

"He is a major loss, a player who has shown how important he is when he is on the pitch and when he isn't, he is missed.

"For us it is an advantage that Madrid no longer have him."

Victory over the Blancos will see Gerardo Martino's men establish a six-point margin between their bitter rivals in the Primera Liga.