THE CLASICO takes center stage this weekend. As always when this match comes upon us, it is usually the biggest of any weekend's set of games. The most followed, most anticipated football match in all of football. Even the World Cup Final will not gather as much people. It is the Numero Uno in European Football by a country mile.
On Sunday at the Bernabeu, Barcelona come visiting the Merengues on the back of a 7-0 demolition of poor Osasuna at the Nou Camp last weekend. A match that saw Leo Messi become Barcelona's highest goal scorer of all time (including friendlies). 371 club goals for a man not yet 27 is something no one ever thought could be achieved. He has rewritten virtually all the history books and there are a few left to be turned upside down. He has set his sights on becoming EL CLASICO's greatest ever goalscorer as he is currently tied with Alfredo Di Stefano on 18 goals. He has broken his compatriot's record in La Liga and is willing to break the few remaining scoring records left. Only that PELE's 1289 might stay for eternity.
Real Madrid also boast one of the greatest footballers in History. In Cristiano Ronaldo, Los Blancos know that they possess a goal machine. Someone who has already registered 41 goals this season. His 13 Champions League goals is one short of the all time record set by Messi two years ago. That is almost certainly going to be dismantled when the Dortmund fixture comes calling. The Portuguese footballing Legend has scored 12 goals in Clasico affairs and is ready to lead Real Madrid to another victory on Sunday. Incidentally, since losing to Barcelona at the Camp Nou last November, the merengues have stayed unbeaten through all competitions till date. This is certainly a very important match for them. Win and La Liga is almost a wrap. Lose and the momentum will swing the Catalans way.
PROBABLE LINEUP-
REAL MADRID-
D.Lopez, Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Alonso, Modric, Di Maria, Bale, CR7, Benzema
BARCELONA-
VV, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Messi, Neymar
Both lineups are predictable, especially when they don't change much week in, week out. Karim Benzema should be fit to face Barcelona and Jese will miss out after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the Schalke game. A big blow for the kid and his clubside. Xabi Alonso's midfield excellence will be very much needed as he knows how Xavi and co roll. Diego Lopez returns between the sticks as has been the case for the best part of two seasons now. Alvaro Arbeloa cannot play again this season and is a doubt for the football festival in South America later in the year. Dani Carvajal will of course fill the right back slot. Rafa Varane has been featuring of late but it is more likely that Don Carlo will pick Ramos and Pepe. Experience over youth. Gareth Bale has to do very well as he cut a forlorn figure in the reverse fixture. Although, one could argue that he wasn't fully fit then. ADM may likely return to the starting eleven as he is a hard worker and has done great this season. Carlo Ancelotti, in midweek, became the first manager in UCL history to take FIVE different teams to the last eight of the competition. The current unbeaten streak he has at Real is the longest of his managerial career to date and all Madridistas hope that it is just the start of better things to come.
Tata Martino is under a little bit of pressure. Third in La Liga is not a position the cules want to see their beloved club in. Something has to give and he doesn't want it to be his job. He has done some good things since his arrival in Catalunya and that includes defeating Real Madrid and advancing to the knockout stages of the UCL. Victory on Sunday will ease 80% of the pressure on him at the moment and that is the aim. The Argentine manager has to factor ways to send Diego Simeone's Atletico out of Europe next month, but the small matter of the Clasico is the priority at the moment. A moment of pride and honour for Barcelona.
Leo Messi is undoubtedly the best footballer of the last five years. His 31 goals this season still makes for some staggering statistic, considering how long he has been out for. The very brilliant Rosario native has something against Real and he has set sights on scoring against them yet again. Pedro Rodriguez has been left out in recent time amidst cries and yearnings by Barca fans that he should start more games. Not that he doesn't deserve to, but the likes of Neymar and Alexis have done very too. Prior to the Osasuna match, the Chilean CR7 was Barca's highest goal scorer in La Liga but Messi hasn't found that stat funny. He has leapfrogged him and that is that. The Spanish foursome of Cesc, Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets have their positions locked in. Their performances have been outstanding although Mr Iniesta has to score more goals. 48 goals in his Barcelona career that has spanned over a decade is abysmal to say the least. In defence, the Pique-Jefecito combo is good. Carles Puyol, the trojan of Catalunya has announced his departure from the club at the end of the season. The CLUB CAPTAIN has been plagued by injuries of different types in the last five years and his decision is better for him and the team. Jordi Alba has asserted that RM should be more afraid of Messi than Barca of CR7. We will see how that goes on Sunday.
Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990
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