The match marked on every calendar long ago takes place today at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the Spanish capital. It should be a game of the highest quality with so many fantastic players in the mix. The world’s two best players will be on display: Cristiano Ronaldo, who is in good form and has not reached his maximum potential in Spain yet, and Leo Messi, who is in exceptional form and setting tremendous standards both in La Liga and in Europe. While Real Madrid is entirely focused on La Liga, Barcelona is still on course to match last season’s six titles. The teams are even on points, Madrid holding the goal differential edge.
The only notable absentees from the Classico are Kaka for Madrid, Ibrahimovic and Abidal for Barca. Kaka, who has been out with injury for a while now, has an uncertain future with the Merengues. So much money was invested in the Brazilian that only a team like Chelsea or Manchester City might be willing to meet Madrid’s price in the summer. Ibra remains sidelined by a calf muscle strain suffered before the Bilbao match. His physical presence will certainly be missed.
Barca’s attackers – Messi, Pedro and Bojan – are small and will have a tough mission breaking through Madrid physical defenders. Iniesta is back, which is great news for Barca and Barcelona. Xavi and Iniesta should be commanding in the middle as always, though it is unlikely Iniesta could go the entire 90 minutes. Barca’s back four are back and rested, both Puyol and Pique having missed Tuesday’s re-match with Arsenal. Maxwell will fill in ably for Abidal.
Real Madrid has won twelve straight La Liga matches, a remarkable run that has kept Pellegrini in charge of the club. Out of the Spanish Cup and out of the Champions League, nothing but the title will provide any kind of reward for the massive investment made last summer by the club’s directors. The pressure to get a result is huge, but equally important will be for Real’s assertion of character.
Barcelona is the best team in the world. No team matches such technical ability, possession or movement. But Madrid is young, hungry and, most importantly, rested. The emergence of Rafael van der Vaart as a goal scoring midfielder has more than alleviated Kaka’s absence. With Higuain, Marcelo and Ronaldo, Madrid has been a scoring machine. For all of Barca’s achievements, Real’s confidence is intact. They believe they have at least the same potential and it’s just a matter of time until it all comes together. Today will be a good indication.