Hassan Chamas


What: Spanish La Liga
Who: Barcelona (2nd; 27 points) vs Real Madrid (1st; 28 points)
When: Sunday 29th November, 2009, at 19:00 CET
Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

Statement of Intent

If whispers started circulating last week that Barcelona were on the verge of a crisis after their lackluster 1-1 draw versus Athletic Bilbao, then these claims were shot down when the reigning European champions defeated current Serie A holders Internazionale 2-0 in midweek Champions League drama.

Against the Nerazzurri, Barcelona played arguably their best football this season, constantly pressuring Julio Cesar’s goal. The fact that stars Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed out  – Guardiola didn’t bother introducing them from the bench – just showed the potential of the treble holders. Particularly, youth-teamer Pedro is quickly growing into the Camp Nou side’s surprise of the season after a well taken goal against the Italians.

With one half of this week’s task now complete, Barcelona will be looking to take on perennial rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, in the hope of claiming back their place at the top of La Liga, a spot that was snatched last week by none other than Los Merengues.


Sorely Missed

To say that Real Madrid did not miss Cristiano Ronaldo would be blasphemy. Even though Los Blancos managed to top the league while the Portuguese wonder was in the treatment room, the return of the world’s most expensive player will surely signify a massive boost for Manuel Pellegrini and his men. Real managed to win just five of their last ten encounters without him, and also saw their strike ratio drop from nearly 3.5 goals a game to close to 1.

Now, after topping their Champions League group, Madrid will be eager to increase the one-point gap between them and the Catalans, knowing fully well that should they lose concentration for a split second, their 6-2 demolition at the Bernabeu last May might happen all over again.

 

 

Recent form

Barcelona:
Barcelona 5-0 Cultural (Copa del Rey)
Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Barcelona (La Liga)
Barcelona 2-0 Internazionale (Champions League)

Real Madrid:
Real Madrid 1-0 Alcorcon (Copa del Rey)
Real Madrid 1-0 Racing Santander (La Liga)
Real Madrid 1-0 FC Zurich (Champions League)


Key absences

Barcelona: Lionel Messi (minor doubt); Zlatan Ibrahimovic (minor doubt); Gabriel Milito

Real Madrid: Raul Albiol (doubt); Guti; Ruud van Nistelrooy; Christoph Metzelder


Players to watch

Barcelona – Xavi: He might not find himself on the score sheet every week, but if the Blaugrana is a fine vehicle, then Xavi Hernandez is its motor. The playmaker has been on a high ever since Euro 2008, and his displays were crucial in his team’s treble win last season. The best central midfielder in the world today.

Real Madrid – Cristiano Ronaldo: If there’s one player who could turn out to be the difference maker for Madrid on this occasion, it’s the Portugal captain. Ronaldo last kicked a ball for his team in late September, and since then, Real have won close to half of their matches. Should he be alert at the Camp Nou, expect sparks to fly. Here is where he can start to repay his record-breaking fee.


Match prediction

Contrary to common belief, this Clasico will not dictate the outcome of this year’s Primera race. Both teams nearly even in the league standings, with just a point being the difference, and at this early stage, everything is possible from here to May.

However, even though Madrid are first, this does not reflect a better playing style than that of their rivals. Barcelona are playing better football at the moment, they welcome Real in front of 90000+ screaming Cule fans, and have the mental advantage as their double win last season is still engraved in everyone’s head. Not an impossible task for Madrid, but Barcelona should get the full grade on this occasion.

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