The eyes of the whole word will be on Spain as Real Madrid travel to Camp Nou to take on Barcelona in the first ‘El Clasico’ of the season. The match will see the top two in Spain go head to head with some of the world’s best players
battling it out.
Real Madrid go into the match a point ahead of Barcelona in the Primera Liga and oozing with confidence. They are unbeaten in all competitions and have scored 9 goals in their last two matches. Not to be left behind, Barcelona
have only lost once all season and have scored eleven goals in their last two games. Both teams have scored 33 times in their 12 matches so far with Real Madrid boasting a better defensive record of having let in just six goals compared to Barca’s eight. The
domestic dominance of both these teams means that the result of this match will go a long way in determining who will come out on top come the end of the season.
The match brings many interesting individual duels in football, at the top being arguably the two best players in the world at the moment. Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo will be fired up for this match and both will be hoping
to outshine the other on the pitch.
Messi, the current world Player of the Year, has 13 goals to his name so far and has been the player who has been running the show for Barcelona this season. Messi is known for rising to the occasion when it comes to these big
games and the Argentine wizard will be looking to help his team record a fifth straight win against Real Madrid. Ronaldo has also been in sparkling form for Real Madrid this season and has 14 goals to his name so far. His power and pace have devastated defences
over the last few months and he will be looking to prove his critics wrong once and for all, who claim that he disappears in the big games.
The midfield battle will be interesting to watch as well, as Xabi Alonso and Xavi go head to head. Xavi has been the pivot on which Barcelona have been playing all season and his vision and stability with the ball, along with support
from Andreas Iniesta, will mean that Madrid will have a hard time getting the ball away from Barcelona. Alonso has been ever present in the Madrid side and has secured his position in the centre of the midfield. He will be vital for Madrid as he provides excellent
cover for the back four, while his long range of passes help him in finding team-mates with unnerving accuracy. He will be supported in the middle by Sami Khedira, who will be making his first appearance in the El Classico.
A lot of attention has been given to Mourinho and his tactics as well. Both managers have worked under the legendary manager, Louis Van Gaal, and their tactics reflect his style of play. However, Barcelona have been known to come
unstuck against the tactics of Mourinho, as witnessed in their Champions League encounter with Inter Milan last year. Pep Guardiola will be looking to get his tactics spot on against the Portuguese master and their battle will have a huge bearing on the outcome
of the match.
Prediction: The Spanish Prime Minister believes it will end up 4-2 in Barcelona’s favor but one doubts a Mourinho side will let in four goals so it is best to go with a 2-1 win for Barcelona.
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