Jon Iñaki Aspiazu, Ernesto Valverde's No.2 at Barcelona, spoke about Lionel Messi's fitness before Sunday's game at Athletic Club.
Messi injured his thigh against Valencia last weekend and only played the final half an hour against Real Madrid in midweek.
Aspiazu admitted: "Maybe Messi isn't 100 percent but he's not far off that level."
The assistant coach also said that Barcelona are hopeful of winning the three points which would "increase our lead over Real Madrid, making it eigth points, which is a good advantage."
Finally, he confirmed that Nelson Semedo would start at left-back in place of the suspended Jordi Alba.