It is no news that the Spanish La-liga has the planet's most expensive player (RONALDO), the best player in the world (MESSI), the most charismatic Manager (MOURINHO) and the best team on the planet (BARCELONA). The la-liga consists of three teams REAL MADRID, BARCELONA and the rest, to think the ever-present title pretenders like SEVILLA, VALENCIA, VILLAREAL would mount any serious title challenge is absurd. The real competition is at the drop zone, ZARAGOZA, GIJON, SANTANDER shuttling the 20th position on the log. The survival struggle started before the season begun. There are the European football-hopefuls, ATHLETIC BILBAO, ATHLETICO MADRID et al.
Barcelona, arguably the best team on planet earth at the moment. The possession football they play is just too good to be true; the free-flowing attacking movement is always on display. Francesc Fabregas and Aexis Sanchez joined the Spanish giants this season; Fabregas needs no introduction to the world scene. One of the best passers in his generation, his vision, technique and awareness is just delightful. The former-Arsenal captain joined Barcelona after a season-long media coated transfer saga. He has settled well into his new club, scoring and assisting goals with relative ease. Lowly-rated Getafe handed Barcelona their first defeat of the season, with a hard fought 1-0 victory, Guardiola will be worried with his team dropping unnecessary points. However, Real Madrid has been in sublime form, 10 consecutive victories in the league and 14 in all completion. Cristiano Ronaldo has been in frightening form, he just cant stop scoring, and the
Portuguese winger goal per game ratio in la-liga is nothing short of magical. Real have scored an amazing 49 goals already this season, not surprising though with 3 of the finest strikers in the world on parade. Higauain, Benzema and Ronaldo have scored 36 of Real’s 45 league goals this campaign, that’s how prolific the strike force has been. Madrid’s defense has always been the problem…” A good striker win you games, a good defense wins you silverwares” the special one tighten up the back four, Pepe has been an absolute monster ,with the team conceding just 10 goals . Nurin Sahin, Hamit Aitintop and Portuguese flying full-back Fabio Contraeo have stormed the capital; finally they can actually push Barcelona to the edge. There are always the potential banana-skin fixtures for the 2 the Spanish football power house, Sevilla, Valencia, Getafe, Athletico Madrid
. These teams dictate the league pendulum. Malaga and Levante are also in contention for Europe this season too. Malaga have a signed a bus-full of players, with the exception of Santi Carzola and Juaquin, I don’t see the new arrivals doing something extra special.
SPANISH EARTHQUAKE
The fixture between Madrid and Barcelona is always a match to savor, the 2 biggest team in Spanish football brings the whole world to a standstill this weekend, with a top of the table clash. With over 15 million expected viewers, the El Clasico is one of the fiercest rivalries in world football. The rivalry doesnt evolve around the team alone, there are duels that promises to make Spanish biggest game of the season, a game to remember.
RONALDO vs MESSI: 2 of the biggest names in World football, it’s a matter of whom the best player is. Messi has scored 8 league goals against Madrid, definitely the driving force of Barcelona. The Argentine can single handedly wreck any defense in the world. Ronaldo hasn’t enjoyed many victories against Barcelona, the Portuguese will look to take a swipe at his counterpart, and his form this season has been sublime. Mourinho will play his cards on Ronaldo to coordinate the team, because in him they will seek inspiration. For these two, World footballer of the year, European Golden boot, Spanish la-liga, Spanish top scorer….. The battle list of supremacy is endless
MOURINHO vs GUARDIOLA: The special one has found it hard to tear apart Barcelona, like he did to top clubs in England and Italy. The physical and aggressive football philosophy Mourinho deploys against Barcelona, always results to red cards. This season they are much more disciplined with enough steel, whether they can weather the Barcelona storm is a different story. Guardiola on the other hand will be banking on his trio of MESSI, XAVI, and INIESTA to do the damage. A second loss of concentration from Madrid this trio will cuase havoc. The bench has a role to play in this game as well. The manager with the best tactical awareness takes the day.
KEY MEN: All the media attention will be on Ronaldo and Messi to make their teams tick, no doubt. There are other players that need to be at their best to salvage points for both sides, players like XAVI HERNADEZ and PEPE
Xavi is the fulcrum of Barcelona; he dictates the game to his tempo. His creativity, vision and superb passing ability is a major package in Barcelona’s success story, always trying to spot runs of his team mates. The amount of time Xavi gets on the ball can go a long way for Barcelona in this match.
PEPE: is what opposition managers call an aggressive “hatchet man”, naturally a defender but the last 2 El clasico has seen the special one deploy him to midfield. Extremely rugged, tireless, strong with a no-nonsense approach to the game, the type of player Barcelona hates to face. If he can stay card-free (which I doubt), he can be the link between Madrid and victory.
Total games between – 215 games
Madrid (86) – 45 draws – Barcelona (84)
Madrid -354 goals----- Barcelona 347 goals
My heart says Barcelona but my instinct says Madrid……… Enjoy
