El Clasico is the football equivalent to the world’s best soap opera. It features the most talented actors, a quality script, at times violence, cheating and, most importantly, drama in abundance. At least it did.
As special as El Clasico is, we’ve had more than our fair share over the past few years. Barcelona and Real Madrid have faced each other 20 times in last four seasons, an average of five meetings a season. The frequent League, Super Cup, Copa del Rey and Champions League matches have perhaps taken the gloss off the highly-anticipated fixture. And in truth that killed some of the hype around matches.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have always had the world’s best players, and to list them would be a time-consuming exercise. But there’s a certain buzz around this particular set of stars that the two giant have.
But no longer is it Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo, but the BBC [Karin Benzema, Gareth Bale and Ronaldo] vs MSN [Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar]. The latter have certainly been more enjoyable over the past few weeks.
Not since the days of MVP [Messi, David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez] has Barcelona’s front three looked so menacing, with Suarez and Neymar flanking the Argentine magician. Though a little impotent in front of goal against Manchester City, their quality was evident and it is of little surprise that Luis Enrique’s side are the top scorers in the League.
Conversely, there were mixed emotions as Madrid proceeded to the quarter finals of the Champions League but lost 4-3 on the night to Bundesliga side Schalke. Bale’s ‘hands over ears’ celebration against Levante was indicative of the waves of criticism and pressure from the media and more importantly, the fans. But hark back to the end of 2014 and the brilliance of Carlo Ancelotti’s strike force clear.
Both forward lines have been very potent this season, and there will be goals. The last Clasico without one happened over 12 years ago. So it is not so much a question of who will score the most but concede the least. Barcelona boast the best defensive record in the League with only 16 goals conceded, but the return of Sergio Ramos and the absence of Sergio Busquets could influence proceedings.
Some believe that Los Blancos are in dark times and in some sense, probably have something to prove. The chastisement they are already receiving in the stands will reach a deafening pitch should they fail to snatch all three points today. By the same token La Blaugrana fans won’t appreciate their arch rivals doing the double over them.
With exception of last season, matches between these two have usually decided the title, and this time may be no different. Whatever anyone makes of this Real Madrid ‘crisis’, the remit is simple. Win all their matches and they will be crowned champions. Not simple in practice, of course, but given their 22-match unbeaten run earlier in the season, entirely possible. And the same could be said for Barcelona.
Matches between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been both numerous and momentous in recent times, with the two sides with some perhaps believing it had overtaken El Clasico in importance. However there is no doubt which is the biggest. It has the anticipation, the players and the drama.
