HELL YEA,THE EL CLASICO'S HERE!AND,IT PROMISES TO BE BIGGER AND BETTER THAN BEFORE......
The biggest date in the Spanish football calendar has almost arrived. Real Madrid and Barcelona lock horns in La Liga's first el Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu next Saturday. And both teams were at their brilliant best a week ahead of the famous fixture.
Madrid were in action at Sporting Gijon in what appeared a tough away outing, especially because Jose Mourinho was without midfielder Xabi Alonso. The former Liverpool man was suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Atletico Madrid a week earlier and Real have struggled in the past without the Basque in their side, losing three of the eight games in which he had been missing under Mourinho.
But there was no setback this time. Madrid knew that defeat in Gijon could see them lose their lead at the top ahead of the Clasico - albeit with a game in hand - and they reacted in style. Angel Di Maria continued his fine form with a goal and another assist, while Cristiano Ronaldo netted for the first time against Sporting and Marcelo added a fine effort late on.
It was a 14th straight win for Madrid in all competitions and they are now closing in on Barca's record of 16 from earlier in 2011. To achieve it, though, they will have to beat the Catalans next weekend and such a success, more importantly, would leave Mourinho's men six points clear of their fierce rivals - and with a game in hand. Even at this early stage, it would be all but over.
And Barca aren't ready to throw in the towel just yet, either. The 5-0 win over Sporting on Saturday night made it 39 goals without reply for the Catalans at Camp Nou in La Liga this season. And just two points dropped at home all season.
Cesc Fabregas scored twice, while Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez and Isaac Cuenca were also on target as Guardiola's side cruised comfortably to a victory which could have been far greater and sets the champions up perfectly for next weekend's Clasico.
THIS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED CLASH BETWEEN THE TWO GIANTS,ARE ALREADY BEING CONSIDERED THE TITLE DECIDER.....
AND,EVEN Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi believes this weekend's El Clasico at Real Madrid could define the European champions' season.
"It's vital we get a good result," said the forward. "It would set us up for the rest of the season."
AND,If it's Barcelona vs Real Madrid,then how can we forget the other RIVALRY?
RONALDO AND MESSI
Predictable; but how could we ignore the two star attractions, especially when their roles have been subtly reversed this season. They're level in terms of goals scored this campaign (17 each), but their relationship with their team's dynamic has shifted.
Ronaldo used to try and win every game on his own, and when Madrid were playing badly, Ronaldo played well and often made the difference. Now, it's less about Ronaldo and more about the team; yet instead of marginalising the Portuguese winger, he's flourishing as a team player and contributing more all round.
In contrast, Barcelona are overly-reliant upon Messi; and it's affecting their overall play as they try to get the ball to him as often as possible. It's making the team more direct - as is the inclusion of Fabregas - and it's affecting the team's identity and even internal harmony (marginalising David Villa, for example). If they are reliant upon Messi at the Bernabeu, his solitary goal away from home this season is a worry.
THE MOST AWAITED MATCH,IS GONNA GET HOTTER THIS TIME ROUND,SO BE PREPARED FOR SOME SURPRISES......
An EXCITING night,Awaits us!!!!
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