BARCELONA: Gerard Pique (pic) has clarified his answers over an interview the Barcelona defender granted to Sports Illustrated, after they led to claims he was aiming to stir tension off the pitch.

In an interview given to journalist Grant Wahl, the American publication ran quotes of Pique saying the Clasico tomorrow (1:50am) at Nou Camp is about more than just a game.

"It is not just football between Barcelona and Real Madrid. There are some politics too," Pique was supposed to have said.

"For many, Catalunya in Barcelona and Catalonia is a country, ensuring a Catalunya-Spain rivalry on the pitch and explaining the reason behind so much tension and fighting."

The 25-year-old Pique has now taken to his official Twitter account, however, to point out the misinterpretation of his quotes.

"What people want is to create more tension just before the Clasico," Pique revealed on the social networking site.

"I just said that Barcelona-Real is often more associated with Catalunya-Spain, and this should not be so. It's just a football game."

Pique is now in a race against time to prove himself fit for the clash, with manager Tito Vilanova hinting that he would be available in the starting line-up.

- mD