‘Clasico Fever’ as Biggest Club Game in the World Approaches
November 25th, 2010
All eyes fall on the Nou Camp as heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid go toe-to-toe in one of the most eagerly-anticipated clashes between the two in recent times.
Although it is still early days in the season, the title race in Spain yet again looks like being between the two arch rivals with a seven-point gap already separating second-placed Barca from third-placed Villarreal.
Therefore, the outcome of the two ‘Clasico’ showdowns could go a long way to determining where the championship will end up this season.
Barca have held the upper hand in recent years, doing the double over the capital club in each of the last two campaigns en route to being crowned champions ahead of runners-up Madrid.
However, the first ‘Clasico’ of this campaign looks impossible to call, with both teams in red-hot form.
Deportivo La Coruna’s veteran coach Miguel Angel Lotina said: “For me the two teams have never gone into the Clasico so strong.”
Pacesetters Madrid, who boast a one-point lead over Barca heading into Monday’s game, are still unbeaten in all competitions under Jose Mourinho with 15 wins from 19 games, while they have won seven on the trot in La Liga.
They also have the tightest defence in the division with only six goals conceded and the joint-leading attack along with Barca, both teams having scored 33 times.
Fourteen of those Madrid goals have been netted by Cristiano Ronaldo, leaving him one ahead of Barca superstar Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts.
Ronaldo, who has scored a phenomenal 51 times in just 54 appearances for Madrid since his record-breaking move from Manchester United, is in understandably confident mood ahead of the trip to the Nou Camp.
He warned Barca: “This Madrid is completely different to last season and we haven’t lost a game yet. It will be a very exciting match and, as we are in great form, I think we’ll win there.
“We are playing well. As well as that, the team has matured so I don’t think there’s a better time to visit the Nou Camp.
“We know it will not be easy because Barca are a fantastic team with great players and a good coach, but I’m sure that it will be a very interesting duel.”
While the new-look Madrid have been blazing a trail across Spain and Europe, Barca are not far behind them and they go into Monday’s encounter with 10 wins in their last 11 competitive games, drawing the other.
Last weekend they thumped Almeria 8-0 – equalling the club’s best-ever away win – while in midweek they defeated Panathinaikos 3-0 to join Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Messi netted his 150th official goal for Barca in Greece, and took his tally to 16 goals in his last 11 appearances for the club.
Speaking after the win, a wary Guardiola said: “We are going into the Clasico in good form, but that’s no guarantee of anything. Every game at home in Barcelona is a test.”
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