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November 29, 2009, 19:00 CET – Camp Nou, Barcelona

Calderón: Florentino, our worst fears have become a reality, our nightmares have escaped the captivity of our dreams to torture us. Barcelona have ripped away from us the title of the best team in Espanya!

Pérez: Relax Ramón! This has happened many times before, Real will bounce back, as always.

Calderón: Florentino my friend, you have always been so calm and had such faith in the team, you do not understand! Barcelona have won the Treble, they have become the first Spanish team to achieve such brilliance! They have eclipsed us this season, made us look like fools, made ME look like a fool!
Florentino, my departure is imminent, our reign of supreme terror is fast coming to a close, you will take over my post as club President.

Pérez: You must not worry..

Calderón: NOT WORRY? Take a look outside Florentino! They are all singing words of praise for Barcelona and remorse for us! The time has come, you must dig deep into your pocket and make the almighty sacrifice.

Pérez: *Sigh* You have always known what is best Ramón. You were an excellent president. Very well! I am aware of the actions in which I must take, spend, spend, spend it is!! * Pérez begins leaving room*

Calderón: Wait! There is something you must change this time around, you remember that day at the Bernabéu do you not? Barcelona demolished us, they taught us a footballing lesson, 6-2! 6 BLOODY 2! What do you notice about that scoreline Florentino?

Pérez: That we lost the game?

Calderón: No! The fact that we let in 6 goals! This season in La Liga an average of 2.9 goals were scored, the last time I checked 6 was a lot bigger than 2.9!

Pérez: Yes, that was an embarrassing result, however I am still not understanding your point here.

Calderón: My point is that you can make simple changes to avoid facing a similar outcome! All you need are a few logical transfers in order to avoid such a result.

Pérez: Of course Ramón! I will simply buy the best strikers and attacking midfielders in the world so that we can score more than 6 goals against Barcelona, now I have an important meeting to attend so if you don’t mind I must leave immediately!

Calderón: Florentino! You are making a huge mistake! Isn’t it becoming apparent to you that all you need are a couple of top-class defenders so that you won’t need to buy strikers to take on Barcelona! You have Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Huntelaar, Raul, Drenthe, Higuain, Van Nistelrooy, Robben and so many others playing on the attack who can score goals in any setting, merely reinforce your defence and the League is yours!

Pérez: SILENCE RAMÓN! You have had your chance to shine and have failed miserably, I will do this my way and we will triumph! Why bolster ones defence when all you need to do is improve your attack to cancel out any goals conceded? Good day Ramón!!!!

Florentino Pérez was wrong…

The following video was comprised by RonaldoHDMessi in whom had I not secured the services of this video never would have been possible. You can find his videos here.

This video portrays Florentino Pérez’s ignorance at concentrating on attack when his side conceaded 6 goals against Barcelona last season. This video shows defensive errors by Madrid this season.
In this video (and I urge one to check off the following on a list) you will see:

• Real Madrid defenders unaware of attacking runs being made and unaware to their surroundings.
• Stationary attackers left unmarked in the centre of the 6 yard box.
• A poor line of attack allowing unanswered runs move into one on one situations.
• Defenders oblivious to man marking at dead ball situations.
• Undisciplined tackles used only to halt a threatening attack.
• Turnovers resulting in an extremely vulnerable defence that is easily unlocked and stretched.
• Most notably men making 20 yard runs into a space left in the middle of box. Defenders fail to react.
• Defences unable to comprehend deep through balls. Brutal tactics used in an attempt to shut down a promising build up.

Florentino may have meant well, however he is now liable for one of the biggest mistakes in the current footballing era. The defence in the Spanish capital is hapless. Video evidence is now present and Madrid will need to know that there is now no running from the fact that €260 million has possibly gone down the drain.

This revolutionary footballing giant that has dominated Spain and Europe for over a century has now found itself with an Achilles heel. Piercing the heel with an arrow, however, is an entirely different story.

A sea of white. A Cauldron of hatred. Pure remorse and disgust filled the air as the tension became so thick it brought shudders down ones spine. This was the Santiago Bernabéu on the 2nd of May 2009. This fortress of solitude was filled with a chilling silence. One man could feel entirely alone, despite being among thousands. The whistle blew and the emotions erupted forth.
This. Was El Clásico.

They say that when adrenaline pumps through your veins, your heart can speed up so fast to an extent that it slows down your entire world resulting in you viewing everything in slow motion. The following events that took place on that warm Spanish night depict exactly this phenomenon.

It all began with a lapse. A momentary lapse in defence lasting merely a second, however it was to be a second to long. As Frenchman Éric Abidal made a fatal error Sergio Ramos whipped in a pin point cross to the head of Gonzalo Higuaín who miraculously put Madrid ahead.

This was the start Los Blancos had dreamt of, an early lead that could send them on their way to a historic win. 3 points here would mean the end of trailing their fierce Catalan rivals and find themselves at the top of the La Liga table.
The day dreaming stopped there for Real Madrid. Thierry Henry, whom had just returned from injury fired home a cracker following a sensational ball from Lionel Messi.

El Capità Carles Puyol followed up with a sublime header before Messi popped up again to make the most of a terrible blunder by the men in white.

Ramos gathered some redemption for his side, before Henry, Messi and Gerard Piqué all contributed to see themselves virtually claim the La Liga title for their side whilst embarrassing their hapless enemies.

Everyday the Sun rises and sets. Everyday the waves crash against the beach. Everyday a person is born. Everyday a person dies. And everyday, a Culé and a Galáctico feel a pure loathing for one another.

It is the eternal rivalry of two clubs that extends far beyond the mere limitations of football. The Capulets and the Montagues of La Liga have detested one another since the days of the Spanish Civil War. When you are born to one of the respective Barcelona or Real Madrid families you are born with the irrevocable blood of your team’s colours issuing through your veins.

“Passionate hatred can give meaning and purpose to an empty life.”
A quote from American philospher Eric Hoffer depicts the exact atmosphere surrounding this ‘Super Encuentro’ as 100,000 Blaugrana faithful prepare to flock to the Catalonia Cathedral that is the Camp Nou for this historic fixture.

The raging rivalry between these two was fuelled forever further as Madrid bias long term Spanish dictator Francisco Franco made an attempt to oust the Catalan culture for good by expelling all independence in which Catalunya held from the rest of Spain as well as banning all use of the Catalan language. Or so he thought.

Those caught speaking Catalan in the streets were arrested and severely punished. However, little did Franco know there was a place of gathering for the Catalonians. A place where they could speak freely in their native tongue and against the morals of Franco. This place was the Camp Nou.

Not only was it a fortress for their beloved Blaugrana but also a place in which freedom of speech reigned supreme and each man or woman was not to feel as if their every move was assessed by Franco. Thus the FC Barcelona members were born.

Since then Francisco has passed and whilst the Camp Nou is no longer the only place in which the Catalans can openly gather it has remained a flaming part of the Barcelona culture with fans hording this stronghold week in week out as its fans once again prepare themselves for another mammoth encounter.

The rambling ends now.
Now is the time for all flaws to be patched, all problems to be fixed, every minute detail is to be perfected in the wake of the greatest game known to man.

Tonight, the fire will be unleashed, resulting in a detonation of hatred, tension, fear and anxiety that is El Clásico.

This summer, out of pure fear, Real Madrid tore the spotlight away from triplete winning rivals Barcelona in dazzling fashion by announcing the return of Los Galácticos as they launched an assault on the transfer market by securing themselves a plethora of mega money signings. Among them were the likes of FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo as well as a player who had won the same award in Kaká. French hitman and star striker Karim Benzema completed his dream move to the Spanish capital whilst Xabi Alonso was eventually tempted back into his homeland.

However money cannot buy you success nor can it buy a philosophy or style. You cannot simply blend all your favourite foods together and pray for it to taste brilliant. Madrid could purchase players and attempt to buy points until all the worlds money has run out, although they will never possess the sheer brilliance that is the Cruyff way of football, the Barcelona way of football.

When quality comes into play Barca will come up trumps. Try as they may Madrid made mistakes centuries ago that are causing them great disturbances today, there is no character issuing from the Bernabéu and no philosophy behind what is a bland white jersey. Where Real fall, Barcelona rise.

Casting our views on the positions of these two epic sides on the La Liga table.

Real Madrid last week made the most of a stumble at the San Mamés by Barcelona to see themselves go top of a see-sawing table by one point. Recent results saw Barcelona through a ‘mini-crisis’ as they succumbed to draws and losses to Rubin Kazan, Osasuna, and Athletic Bilbao before bouncing back in classic Blaugrana style with a sensational win over Italian champions Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League mid week.

Meanwhile, despite topping the league Madrid’s recent form has been far less thrilling than their pursuing counterparts in whom have scored 12 goals in their last 4 matches. Unconvincing 1-0 wins against FC Zurich and Racing are among their most recent results whilst a shock early exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of 3rd division outfit Alcorcon preceded these games.

Whilst Barcelona came out full pelt against Inter Milan (notably without star players Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic) as well as showcasing their finest football in a superb display all round at the Camp Nou Real Madrid were lucky to come away with a win against a side in which they defeated 5-2 the first time around.

FC Zurich’s fast paced, counter-attacking football nearly caught Los Blancos unawares on a number of occasions and had Real Madrid Goalkeeper Iker Casillas not been in his usual dazzling form Madrid could well have marched out of the stadium embarrassed by a far lesser opposition.

Hammer and tongs Barcelona and Real Madrid have fought it out neck and neck for the start of this La Liga campaign as both have been within touching distance of one another for the major part of the season so far. It is now time to see who is the worthy table topper. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that the winner of this match will be needing to score some serious goals in order to keep their opponents at bay, and this may prove an uphill battle with both the sides missing influential goal scorers in whom have recently succumbed to injuries with their fitness being questioned for the match.

Team News

Barcelona

All media has this week cast its attention on dynamic duo Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic who have both fallen victim to Barcelona’s rigorous schedule by succumbing rather serious injuries.

The pint-sized Argentine complained of a pain to his left abductor in his sides league match to Athletic Bilbao. Although initial signs were bad further examinations proved the injury to be a grade 1 giving the staff great confidence that he will take to the field against Real Madrid. Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the meantime has shaken off a thigh strain as he and Messi both trained with the group on Friday morning.

Ivorian Yaya Touré was also cleared of the Swine Flu virus after a week on the sidelines although it is unlikely that he will start in the match.

Messi and Ibra were both included in the match day squad against Inter Milan and the same notion has taken place for the Madrid fixture. Expect them both to line up with Pedro being rewarded a dream start thanks to his scintillating recent form.

Predicted Starting XI, Barcelona: Valdes – Alves – Puyol – Pique – Abidal – Xavi – Busquets – Iniesta – Messi – Ibrahimovic – Pedro

Real Madrid

The €94 million man Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to make his long awaited return to La Liga in a starting XI spot for Real Madrid.

The worlds most expensive player was gifted with a few precious minutes of game time against FC Zurich and has talked himself up all week leading up to his first rivalry match with his new club.

If reports are to be believed Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini is set to bench the in form Gonzalo Higuaín despite the 21 year old having scored 4 goals in his sides last 3 league fixtures whilst Raul Albiol is set to return after a scare earlier this week regarding a knee injury he incurred against Zurich.

Predicted Starting XI, Real Madrid: Casillas – Ramos – Pepe – Albiol – Arbeloa – Xabi Alonso – Lassana Diarra – Marcelo – Kaka – Benzema – Ronaldo

Key Players

Pedro

The first challenge for the in-form Pedro Rodríguez will be to get himself into the initial lineup. After that it should all be downhill for the 22 year old left winger.

Scoring 4 goals in his last 4 for the Blaugrana brings his season tally to a respectable 13 as he begins to turn heads left right and centre with each dazzling performance in which he conjures. His sublime touch, blistering pace and astonishing finishing has seen the newly promoted home grown talent ease into Thierry Henry’s position on the left hand side of Barcelona’s attacking trident.

Having already proved himself in big matches Pedro will once again be raring to make the most of all opportunities that should come his way, and with Xavi and Iniesta behind him, anything is possible.

Kaka

The Brazilian is back to his best in vintage form of late as he continues to dazzle worldwide audiences. The former Ballon D’or and FIFA World Player of the Year has slotted himself into a playmaking role just on top of the Real Madrid strikers. His passing has been brilliant and his shooting dead accurate and he may prove to be one of many problems for Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes. Kaka and Ronaldo were beginning to form a deadly partnership and should they team up they may well create quite a hazard for the Blaugrana.

Prediction

It all comes down to this. Each touch of the ball will be as precious as gold as well as each movement perfected to the second. The Camp Nou will come to life in a blazing fire of blue and maroon that will simply sweep Real Madrid away.

The emotions will flow freely as tears are wept and blood is shed. It is time for the talking to stop and the football to take place. Everything that has been said in the prelude to this match counts for nothing. As a player stands resolute in the middle of the pitch, preparing for kick off, 100,000 men behind him, the world stops. All is forgotten at that moment, the managers pre-match instructions, the endless media attention paid to this game, the favourites on paper, the injuries, the rigorous training sessions from that week. All is left behind. Each team stands as one, preparing itself for fight, readying itself to take aim, to become victorious; eternal glory awaits one whilst lifelong suffering awaits another. This is Més Que un Game, it is years of history, years of hatred and revulsion. Years of wins and losses, years of embarrassment and pride all spilling out into a stadium creating an almighty atmosphere that is El Clásico!

A hapless Madrid defence will find itself on the back foot for a majority of the match as a lack of organization may see them caught out by Barcelona on a number of occasions. Real may pose an early threat however it is expected that they will eventually go into shut down mode as Guardiola’s troops continue to gather momentum. Each Catalan attack will be roared onward by a fierce Blaugrana crowd to which Barcelona will react in tremendous style. This is time for Barcelona to show Real just what football is and how to play it. They will demonstrate, fascinate and once again humiliate Real Madrid, leaving Los Blancos a red faced Los Rojos. Messi and Ibrahimovic should make the line up, but should the two miss out Barca have already proven that they can deal with these losses as their style of play runs through the veins of each of their players and has a preset ultimate outcome.

Real will be forced to play catch up for the entire game. The Galácticos showed this week against Zurich that they are vulnerable on the counter attack and evidence proves that their defence is one of the most disastrous in the league. Xavi and Iniesta will prepare to return to their old dynamic duo selves in midfield as they provide time and time again for Messi, Ibra and Pedro.

Real Madrid have splashed the cash in tremendous quantities. They have created a Dream Team, a team full of champions. However they lack something, something they can never have. They lack a meaning, a viewpoint, a way of playing and a style. Barcelona destroy their counterparts in this category as their flawless tactics will be the key in annihilating Los Blancos. This match will be won and lost by sheer quality. Barcelona possess this, Real Madrid do not.

Barcelona 3 – 0 Real Madrid

Leo10.

A special mention should once again go out to RonaldoHDMessi for his fantastic work on the video. I urge our readers to have a look at his channel as his work is brilliant. His channel can be found here.