With both teams taking to the field this week for week three of Champions League, Saturday gives us one of the biggest derbies among clubs in the world, the El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Is this Clasico different from previous years? Absolutely. In the last few years, Barcelona has been favored until recently, but Real Madrid look unstoppable right now, and both teams got well-deserved victories in the Champions League.
This Real Madrid squad team are the new “Galacticos” but are they better than the original Galacticos? After winning the Champions League this past summer, they purchased World Cup stars like German Toni Kroos, and Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez. They have made a tremendous impact and should be excited to play their first Clasico at home and make sure to beat their biggest rivals Barcelona, who will counter with Lionel Messi, Neymar, and now Luis Suarez in attack.
Real Madrid practiced Thursday morning after their successful trip to Liverpool. Sergio Ramos practiced, but Carlos Ancelotti had already ruled out Gareth Bale. If Ramos is ready by Saturday, he will be placed as center-back and Ancelotti will have to sacrifice Pepe or Varene. Offensively, they will most likely continue to play the same way as they did against Liverpool.
For Barcelona, one of the best strikers in the world may make his debut for them this weekend after being banned a few months for the biting incident in the World Cup. Will Suarez start or will he appear as a sub? Barcelona paid around $80 million for this forward and they do not want him sitting on the bench0. At the back, they will be playing with their traditional back line of four, a holding center defensive mid, two center mids, Neymar and Messi in the wings and maybe, just maybe, Suarez will make his debut as the center-forward.
There will be over $600 million of worth lining up on the pitch this Saturday, and this Clasico just gets better and better each year. To many, there is no comparison between this game and any other game in whatever sport it is around the world.
Ronaldo and Messi will be working hard to win this game, but it is just more than that. Both players right now are competing for the all-time Champions’ League goalscoring record, with Ronaldo being just two goals away and Messi one further back. Fans today are just blessed to be able to watch these amazing superstars competing at their prime in the same generation.
Real Madrid looks in better shape than Barcelona, but every game is different and anything can happen. Barcelona will have to do an amazing job defensively and hopefully there is enough chemistry up top to finish plays. Real Madrid will have to stay organized and not give any space to Messi, Neymar, and/or Iniesta, as they are key players capable of creating a massive threat.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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