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Real Madrid host Spanish champions, Barcelona, in a clash, which is globally referred to as El Clasico, and the most expensive match ever in the game of football scheduled to hold on Sunday, March 23.
Tickets are selling fast as it will cost a fan 900 Euros for VIP and 70 Euros for popular stand.
The El Clasico, which is regarded as the biggest rivalry in the football world, actually started on May 13, 1902; and a total number of 726 goals has been scored amongst these two great Spanish teams since inception.
Madrid take on Barcelona knowing a victory could create a seven-point gap between the title chasers and the third-placed Catalan club.
Los Blancos have the largest part of the victory since the contest began, as they have won 90 of the clashes – with Barcelona winning 87. Madrid’s greatest Classico win was on June 13, 1943 – when they demolished the Blaugrana by 11-1.
Meanwhile, the Catalanhave had a good number of 5-0 wins over the Galacticos, but the latest was the one recently witnessed on November 29, 2010.
With both Real Madrid and Barcelona having qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals, their focus shifts to Sunday’s El Classico match where the two teams will fight it out for supremacy in the league.
Madrid lead the table with four points and a win for them will increase the gap to seven points, and given the form of the capital city side that may just be unassailable. Again, they would certainly be looking to avenge the loss in November 2013, when the two sides met in the league.
However, for Barcelona, it would be much more as they would like to beat the home side to remain in the title hunt for this season.
But the Los Blancos record this season at home has been phenomenal as the host has lost just one match at home and with the home support, Barcelona will struggle to get a win.
The match will be an interesting contest between two contemporary best teams in the game of football.
If Madrid are to bag the La Liga title, they will have to hope Ronaldo keeps himself among the goals. The Portuguese star currently leads the La Liga top-scorers list with 25 strikes, Atletico’s Diego Costa and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi sit second and third respectively with 10 league matches to go.
In the last match against Osasuna, Messi scored a hat-trick which suggests he is raring to go against Real Madrid and lead his team to a win. With that hat-trick against Osasuna, Messi became the all-time leading goal scorer for Barcelona with 371 goals, breaking the club’s record previously held by Paulino Alcantara.
Ronaldo on the other hand, has scored 9 goals in his last six appearances for Real Madrid, which is a healthy sign for the home team before the match.
Madrid last match was against FC Schalke 04 in the Champions league round of 16 which the Los Blancos won with an astonishing aggregate of 9-2 to qualify for the quarter finals in the competition.
“We hope we can play a great game,” “We know it will be difficult, but we will do all we can to fight for the league title until the very end.” Messi said ahead of Sunday’s El Classic clash.
Record-signing Gareth Bale has also impressed in his short career so far at Santiago Bernabeu. He has scored 14 goals and has provided 14 assists to his team mates in 27 appearances. His stay at Madrid has been marked with series of injuries but he seems to be fit and fine and has been able to take the centre stage along with Ronaldo.
“I am enjoying my game,” he said. “We are playing well, with a lot of confidence, and are on a good run. We’re coming to a decisive part of the season and we have to keep it going.
“Barcelona is a direct rival and we will try to play a good match and get the three points.
“They have very good players but we are focused on our game and on our team because we also have very good players.” Said the former Tottenham player.
For Madrid Arbeloa, Sami Khedira, Jese and Karim Benzema are all set to miss the match due to their respective injuries. Barcelona is expected to field the same team which won against Osasuna.
Real Madrid have won 22 games out of 28 games played so far in the competition with 4 draws and 2 losses. While Barcelona has won 21 games out of 28 played with 3 draws and 4 losses.
Players to watch
Ronaldo
Two-timeBallon d’Or winner, quick and a terrific dribbler. Madrid’s majestic commander, CR7 is endowed with power in his both feet, as the direction of his shot is hardly understood or withstood by goalkeepers. He is the first player to score in six consecutive Clasicos.
Messi
The four-time Ballon d’Or winner is a swift dribbler and also quick paced. A dominant left footer, who prefers to curl the ball than hit hard. Messi is Barca’s ‘god of soccer’. He is one of the top scorers in Clasico matches with 18 goals – along with Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano.
Neymar
The young Brazilian proved a point in the first Clasico game of the season, when he netted a goal in Barcelona’s victory. However, he has struggled with form since returning from injury.
Bale
The world most expensive player will undoubtedly leave a landmark in Clasico history on Sunday, as he is right on the heat. And following the fact that he forms a deadly strike partnership with Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, he has more changes than fellow summer recruit Neymar.
By: Anthony Nlebem
