Tomorrow afternoon football fans across the globe will be salivating in anticipation of the fourth installment of this season's El Classico between Real Madrid and Barcelona. While both teams have each won, lost and drawn a game, the stakes couldn't be higher for the next two matches, with a place in the Champions League final against presumably Manchester United up for grabs.
Let's be clear on a couple things first. This is not going to be a preview of the match. Surely one or two of the footballing sites that you visit on a daily basis can give you a tactical preview of tomorrow's big match. Furthermore, I am not an expert, nor claim to be an expert, but merely a fan of football. I also don't have a British accent so there really is no way I can even be considered an expert, even if that seems to be the only prerequisite to having a national forum to express your views.
The Romantic Point Of View
If you are a true fan of football and not a Madridsta you support Barcelona, because of the way they play the game we all love to watch and perhaps pretend to play. Perpetual motion, one-touch passing, half-touch passing it is all part of the magic that is known as the Blaugrana. Watching Barcelona pass the ball and control possession during a match is almost as similar as opening a 1997 Brunello . . . . you just sit and enjoy for 90 minutes and soak in the experience. We are familiar with the exploits of Lionel Messi (see the video below) but the key man for Barcelona is Xavi. Xavi is the midfield orchestra, stroking passes from right to left throughout the pitch, Barcelona's engine.
Barcelona have become architects of the sexy 4-3-3 finely tuning the formation that has a bigger goal difference (+61) than any team in La Liga, other than Real Madrid, have scored. Goals are not the problem for Barcelona, yet against Real Madrid, who employ an aggressive high tempo defensive strategy that does not allow its opponent any time on the ball, Barcelona have struggled to score goals in the past two matches.
Furthermore, while Barcelona may be the darling of football currently they are a tired and depleted team. Think about it for a second. Xavi, David Villa, Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Pedro and Sergio Busquets haven't had a summer off since 2007 especially with Spain winning the Euro and World Cup. Also are we not forgetting the injuries to Eric Abidal and Maxwell.
The Special Point Of View
While Barcelona may be for the romantic fan of football, Real Madrid are the princes of European football having won the Champions League a record nine different times. However, they have not won the tournament since 2002. With the addition of Jose Mourinho there is hope that this might the year where Real Madrid will be able to capture title number 10. Mourinho is considered the present day antagonist of attacking football often resorting to pragmatic approaches to football especially against Barcelona.
There are plenty of comparisons that you can make between Mourinho's Inter Milan from last year and this year's Real Madrid. Both teams were embarrassed in November by Barcelona, but have seemingly bounced back as the calender turned to spring. Last year Barca were visibly tired and worn down at the San Siro as they limped out of the Champions League. The key for Mourinho is to ensure that his players do not pick up pointless yellow cards in the first leg. Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol are all on the verge of a one game suspension if they pick up a yellow card in the first or second leg.
Time For A Fearless Prediction
First Leg:
Real Madrid 2 - 1 Barcelona
Second Leg:
Barcelona 2 - 0 Real Madrid
(What are your thoughts and fearless predictions, leave a comment)
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