The rivalry comes about as Madrid and Barcelona are the two largest cities in Spain, and the two clubs are the richest, most successful and influential football clubs in the country. Real Madrid has amassed 73 trophies and Barcelona 70, while Athletic Bilbao comes third with 32 trophies. They are sometimes identified with opposing political positions, with Real Madrid viewed as representing Spanish nationalism, and Barcelona viewed as representing Catalan nationalism.
In the coming days, four El Clásico's are scheduled:
La Liga: Saturday 16th April Santiago Bernabeu
Copa Del Rey Final: Wednesday 20th April Estadio Mestalla
UCL Semi Final Leg1: Wednesday 27th April Santiago Bernabeu
UCL Semi Final Leg2: Tuesday 3rd May Camp Nou
Concerning head to head wins, the clubs are neck and neck, with Real slightly edging out the Catalans. Titles on the other hand are in Real’s favor as they boast nine European Cups to Barcelona’s three and 31 league titles to Barcelona’s 20. It has been all Barcelona as of late and this is their chance to tighten the gap. A league championship, a Spanish Cup, and a European trophy are up for grabs. El Clásico: The match that stops a nation. Let the 18 day marathon begin.
Real Madrid last defeated Barcelona on 7th May 2008 (2-0).
Real Madrid:
Christiano Ronaldo has claimed that Barça is human after all and that the club needs to be brought back down to earth. A win for Real would put Los Blancos back into contention within 5 points of league leaders Barcelona. Then, Real would have to win six and hope that Barça would uncharacteristically self-destruct. Nonetheless, Real Madrid is very good on home soil, winning 14 and losing only 1 this season. That loss however, was Jose Mourinho’s first home loss in 150 matches while his 5-0 defeat to Barca was his worst ever. Mourinho has no injury concerns now that Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo, Kaká, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain have all recovered fitness. It will take some time for Kaká to return to his days of dominance, and it seems that the manager is slowly rotating the play maker back into the lineup. Thankfully for los Merengues, Christiano has scored in his previous three matches and is in top form. Emmanuel Adebayor seems to have been liberated since his move from Manchester City.
Barcelona:
Barcelona would basically put a seal on their 3rd consecutive league championship with a win against Real. Since Pep Guardiola took over as manager in 2008, Barcelona have won all 5 Clasicos with 16 goals scored and just two conceded. In 15 away matches this season in La Liga, Barça has won 13 and drawn 2, losing none. The Blaugrana is dealing with a list of defensive issues as veteran defenders Eric Abidal (liver tumor) and Carles Puyol (knee) are out through injury while Javier Mascherano suspended. Defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets is likely to fall back and anchor Barcelona’s depleted backline. On a brighter note, Lionel Messi has continued to dominate with a league-high 29 goals to lead Christiano by one.
2 comments:
Real is gonna win against Barca in la liga with Barca being crowned champion.But Barca will do it in Copa Del Rey and UEFA with Puyol and Mascherano coming back.
There are big games, there are huge games, there are monumental games, and there is this. This is where blood and sweat is shed, this is politics, this is culture, this is a way of life, this is football, this is quite simply REAL MADRID VS FC BARCELONA, this is EL CLASICO!
The name itself sends shivers down my spine.
The mother of all Football clashes is back again
All eyes on Real Madrid’s defensive duo of Carvalho and Pepe against Messi and Barcelona’s duo, Puyol and Piqué against Ronaldo......
Go Barca go !!!!!1
Post a Comment