19/10 draw 5/2 13/10
The el Clasico will take place for the second time in a week when Real Madrid host Barcelona for the second round of La Liga. They would have met midweek for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at Nou Camp before they go at it again here as Real Madrid attempt to narrow the 16-point gap between them and Barcelona. They also have their eye on second place as Atletico Madrid lie four points above them.
Not much has separated them in recent meetings. The first round meeting in Barcelona ended 2-2 with the best players in the world, Messi and Ronaldo (in that order), each bagging a brace. Their recent first leg Copa del Rey meeting in Madrid also ended in a draw with Cesc Fabregas and Raphael Varane scoring the goals in a 1-1 draw. Both sides rested some key players over the weekend to make sure they come into the Clasico’s at full strength.
Real Madrid travelled to last-placed Deportivo La Coruna last weekend in what proved to be a thrilling encounter, with Cristiano Ronaldo starting on the bench. After conceding early, Jose Mourinho made a triple substitution in the second-half bringing on Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira. It was clear that after Ronaldo entered the scene, new life was breathed into the attack. Madrid looked deadly and it immediately seemed like goals were on the way with Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain eventually getting on the scoresheet to secure a 2-1 win. Los Blancos have been slowly gaining points on Atletico, and with one derby left and plenty of football still to play, the fight for second will go down the wire. Madrid welcome back Xabi Alonso (groin), Karim Benzema (knee) and Raphael Varane (muscle strain) from injury for their el Clasico clashes. Kaka has steaked his claim for a start after his match-winning contribution against Deportivo. Madrid’s talisman Ronaldo has scored seven goals in his last seven matches against Barcelona, an impressive stat for a player who has been criticised for underperforming in big matches. Real Madrid have been unbeaten at the Bernabeu this season scoring 38 goals and conceding a mere 12.
Barcelona made rather hard work of their latest La Liga outing, but returned to winning ways after their UEFA Champions League defeat to AC Milan, after running out 2-1 winners at home against Sevilla. With the el Clasico’s in mind they also rested some of their stars in Cesc Fabregas, Carles Puyol, Jordi Alba and Pedro. Xavi and Sergio Busquets also didn’t start the game, though both made entrances from the subs’ bench in the second half, with Iniesta making way later in the game. David Villa and Lionel Messi were the scorers to stretch Barca’s lead at the top of the table to 12 points. The Catalans have been amazing, winning 22 of their 25 matches, losing only one game all season and have shown absolute ruthlessness in front of goal, plundering a massive 82 goals already (20 more than Madrid).
Technically Barcelona have nothing to play for with an unattainable lead at the top end of the log. However, the el Clasico represents more than just three points. Barcelona won this fixture 3-1 last season and the last time they lost at the Bernabeu in the league was the 2007/08 season. Madrid have not been as free flowing in attack as their opponents. Barca are tipped to get yet another convincing league win.
