Iker Casillas had a point when he stated El Classico`s increasing regularity was causing the fixture to lose some of its luster. Although his comments may have stemmed from the fact the last few classico`s have seen him reduced to a helpless spectator as he watched his teammates being repeatedly humiliated by the brilliant Catalans.
Sport needs great rivalries but when two foes are so far ahead of the rest and repeatedly clash it can be a little wearisome. One of the great things about last year was watching Novak Djokovic upset the established order and blow away all competition. The Federer/Nadal rivalry had produced the most spell binding tennis imaginable but their duopoly on the game was causing spectators to become a little jaded.
It was the predictability of their clashes that were the root of the problem. We all knew how they would both play (Federer attacking, Nadal counterattacking) and we all knew the likely result (Nadal Winning).
El Classico is in danger of going the same way except it is Barcelona who represent Federer (the artists who place celestial technique above physicality) and Real Madrid who are Nadal (the Grinders who seek to overwhelm the opposition by frightening physical prowess). In this particular rivalry it is the impresarios from Barca who are almost guaranteed to come out on top.
A cup-tie involving the two best clubs in the world is always essential viewing but the fact these two met a month ago has definitely deprived this fixture of any longing anticipation. We know how both teams will line up and we now know what kind of game to expect. Perhaps the intriguing thing about this fixture is the ramifications it could have on both teams title and Champions league hopes.
Aside from the obvious fact the winner of the tie will be almost guaranteed to win the Copa Del Rey, many will attempt to fabricate a tenuous link between the result and the hopes of winning the big two prizes. In England when two title challengers clash in the F.A cup, pundits are quick to jump to the conclusion that the winner will take home a psychological advantage, the same tradition will apply here.
Yet will the result really have far reaching consequences? Possibly but it is equally likely not. For instance if Barcelona win again it would still leave them five points adrift at the top and in seems Real Madrid are more than willing to accept a failure to beat Barcelona as long as they clinch La Liga. If Real Madrid won its difficult to imagine them getting any better in the league when they have looked so imperious thus far.
Barcelona hold a huge psychological advantage in this fixture courtesy of three years domination and a defeat in the Copa Del Rey will not automatically erode it and would have little bearing should the two meet in Europe.
As for the game itself it was noticeable both seemed to have one eye on this game when they were playing their respective league matches. Madrid dug in to earn a hard fought win over Mallorca and Barca almost contrived to throw away a 2-0 lead against Betis before finally seeing the job through. Both were saving themselves for Wednesday which means we should once again be in for a cracker.
Once again it is Barca who start as favorites to win. Last months game proved that you write off the Blaugrana at your peril. Once again they have their strongest starting XI available. Villa`s injury was unfortunate but his form was sub par anyway prior to his mishap. Similarly it is a shame that Classico specialist Pedro misses the first leg but he too has struggled to attain the heights of last season. Sanchez and Fabregas have made excellent starts to life at the Camp Nou and are first choice on merit.
When Barcelona have their strongest team available there is no escaping the chasm of quality that exists between them and Los Blancos. Madrid have the stronger squad but this is the kind of advantage that can only be pressed home over a series of games rather than a one off match.
The best piece of advice you can give Madrid is to carry on playing the way they have been and just hope their players are ruthless enough to put away Barcelona once they have them on the ropes.
Once again this writer is predicting Barcelona to go through although he expects the tie to be decided in the second leg. Another Xavi/Iniesta/Messi masterclass is on the cards and whilst it remains the duty of any true football fan to savor their play while we can, you cannot help but feel the familiarity of their splendor is beginning to breed a little contempt. There I said it.
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