Barcelona – Real Madrid: the world will be watching

On sunday the football world will have it’s eyes on Spain when Barcelona and Real Madrid kick-off the most important game of the year. Lionel Messi is in doubt because of an injury, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká and Ibrahimovic will play in their first Spanish ‘derby’.

In a League made for these two powerful teams, which are the only ones who have not converted into Public Limited Companies, Barca-Real is not only the top rivalry but a defining game in the race for the championship. Tri-champions last season, the ‘Culés’ are confident and in good form after beating Inter 2-0 last tuesday, while Real are struggling and flooded with criticism, although they stand as leaders in the league table.

Barcelona are favourites

The best Barcelona team in history have the opportunity to humiliate their fierce rivals again, like they did last season with a 6-2 win in Real’s own stadium,  Santiago Bernabeu. At least that’s what their fans are hoping for , because the team, under positive leaders like Xavi and Puyol, players who were born in the club, remain humble. Even Zlatan is humble now!

Lionel Messi is injured and there is a chance he will not play on sunday. But Barca remains the favourite because they have proven that whoever is on the pitch, Pep Guardiola’s system of play prevails. ‘Pep’ is a great manager who had his debut last season, winning the famous ‘treble’ no less.

Real in the opposite sidewalk

Florentino Perez’s millions didn’t provide the ultra demanding Real fans what they were hoping for yet. Manager Manuel Pellegrini continues testing formations and rotating players, so the team is not yet finalized. But Real has wonderful players like Kaká, who is picking his performances up, Cristiano Ronaldo, who had some playtime against Zurich last wednesday, and ‘Pipita’ Higuaín, the team’s top goal scorer. Any of them could prove to make the difference in the match with their skill near rival goalkeeper Victor Valdez.

Keys

Real must not get stuck in Barcelona’s game. They also shouldn’t try to go all out. If that happens they will suffer certain defeat. Chances in front of  the goal must be seized.

Barcelona must try not to get involved with what their fans demand, meaning they don’t have any need to be desperate in scoring a lot of goals. Picking skillfully which balls to play into Real’s box will improve their chances. If they cannot score, they must try in other ways as they’ll probably be dominating the possession department.