The first El Clasico of 2015 kicks off this Sunday at the Nou Camp as two giant La Liga contenders do battle in crucial tie that could decide the league winner.
With just a point separating the two power teams at the top of the La Liga table, this season’s second Clasico could prove to be a decider of the campaign.
This could be one of the most crucial clashes between the two sides in recent memory.
Real Madrid come into the game on the back of a win against Levante. The ‘Boo Boys’ have been out in the Spanish capital following series of poor performances.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema have not been effective enough lately. They trio have not been clinical in front of goal; creating chances but not finishing them.
Real Madrid will need to play with intensity for 90 minutes and not just the first half if they are to have a chance of beating Barcelona in Sunday’s Clásico, according to coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“The whole team showed more desire and focus and they all understood what they had to do,” Ancelotti said.
“We did that in one part of the match and on Sunday we need to do that for the whole match.
“We played with confidence in the first half, the second worries me a bit. We were more relaxed and played a more horizontal game. We lacked verticality.”
Ancelotti praised his side for their performance before the break in Sunday’s 2-0 win at home to Levante but said he was concerned by the way his players relaxed and let the visitors off the hook in the second period.
Bale, in particular, looked like he had a point to prove against Barcelona after Real fans whistles at him following his recent poor form. But Ancelotti is optimistic that Bale’s resurgence may have something to do with the return to action of the midfielder Luka Modric, whom returned to action after a four-month injury layoff.
“Bale looked more motivated and more hungry,” Ancelotti said. “The presence of Modric offers more depth for Bale to link up with his team-mates. They know each other well, they played together at Tottenham, and there’s no doubt that Bale is more comfortable with Modric on the pitch.”
Madrid right full back, Daniel Carvajal has fired warning to Barcelona saying his side are not going to settle for a draw in the second leg El-Classico.
“It’s ‘el Clásico’; there are no favourites. A draw won’t do for us, we’re out to win it”, declared Carvajal.
Carvajal said that Carlo Ancelotti’s men are set on winning their away match against La Liga leaders in order to show everyone just who is the boss of La Liga.
“There is still a lot of season left, we are calm. “
“Without doubt it has been a bad month, but the team is the same, as is the system. We are all in agreement now more than ever, we must give it our hundred percent. We know that we are able to beat anyone.”
“We knew that it was important to only be a point behind and to have that feel-good factor for the week ahead,” he reflected.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have been flying in high form after having their dip in form over the Christmas period. Things are seemingly back to normal for Luis Enrique boys, as the Catalan giants have returned to wining ways and netting more goals.
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is optimistic his sides are in perfect shape ahead of the Clasico against Real Madrid.
The Catalans maintained their lead at the top of La Liga with one point after a convincing 2-0 win over Eibar, courtesy of a double strike from Lionel Messi.
“We arrive as leaders and in perfect shape for the Clasico, ” Enrique said after the game against Eibar.
“I don’t think this is going to be the most important week, but it will be fairly important.”
Madrid will need to play a high pressing game; keeping the ball, playing with high pressure and fast counter attacks against Barcelona if they are to leave the Nou Camp with a good result.
Barcelona are sharper and deadly in front of goals as a team and as a unit; they play with stamina and have clear idea of what they are doing.
If Barcelona controls the ball for longer periods it could be a killer for Real Madrid, who need to recover the ball and keep it.
The ability of the Madrid midfielders to cover the space they are going to need to cover is going to be key. Luka Modric only has 70 minutes in him from the Levante game and Toni Kroos was rested at the weekend but has shown signs of tiredness, same as Isco.
Real have the rest of the week to prepare for Sunday’s showdown at Nou Camp. Sometimes players will tell you it is better to play two games in a week.
The outcome of the tie could go either way or even end in a stalemate, but soccer fans and lovers are in for a thrilling and exciting cracker.
Anthony Nlebem
