El Clásico: The latest edition of the historic rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid could decide the league title
By Issy Ronald, CNN
Each edition of El Clásico is packed with its own storylines, with each one adding another layer to the historic rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Sunday’s match at Barça’s Camp Nou stadium has been described by La Liga as a “true cultural phenomenon” that will capture the attention of millions of fans worldwide. Because the result could almost decide the title race.
A win for Barça would open a 12-point lead at the top of the table, making the league title a high probability, if not a mathematical certainty, while a win for Real Madrid would keep the race alive with 12 games remaining game on Sunday.
Los Blancos will travel to the Camp Nou after Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Liverpool to secure his place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-2 aggregate win.
Vinícius Jr, dubbed ‘the best in the world’ by Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday, excelled in the win, scoring the only goal of the game for Karim Benzema and his battle with Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo could be the one El Clásico will be the key to the decision.
“He’s had a little more trouble in the last few games, but Viní Jr. is always Viní Jr.,” Ancelotti said on Saturday, according to Real’s website.
“His mobility gives us so much, I’m thinking about putting him on the right side because he’s capable, but we’ll see. This freedom and playing without a fixed point of reference could be crucial.
“It’s another problem for the defenders. I joke that he plays on the right…he will play on the left but with more freedom.”
Benzema, another pillar of Real’s attack, will play on Sunday despite suffering a blow during the week, Ancelotti said.
While Benzema will take to the field for Los Blancos, Barça are missing Pedri and Ousmane Dembélé, two of their most impressive players this season, through injury.
The Blaugrana has already beaten Real Madrid twice this year, in January when he won the Spanish Super Cup final and in March when he took a 1-0 lead in the Copa del Rey semifinals. The second leg takes place on April 5 at the Camp Nou.
However, Real won the league game at the Bernabéu in October, while Ancelotti’s team won El Clásico 3-1.
Barça coach Xavi downplayed any notion that his team were favorites to win on Sunday.
“You are strong. Very strong lately,” Xavi said, according to Barça’s website. “They are physically much better than in January. I’m sure they will put pressure on our defence.”
“This team from Madrid are European champions and won the last league with ease. It’s going to be a close game and I say we have a 50 percent chance.”
It’s been a one-sided season for Real, trailing behind Barça in La Liga and trailing 1-0 in the Copa del Rey semifinals, but staying on course to defend their Champions League title.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, Ancelotti addressed speculation about his future at the club, saying he would “stay at this club for the rest of my life but that’s impossible,” adding it was “a decision that the club will make must”.
“If they want me for three months, I’ll make the best of it and the same goes as if they want me for three years…Anyway, I’m sure we’re going to win something this season and that will awaken the doubts rest. We’re at a disadvantage in the Copa and La Liga, but that’s not the case in the Champions League.”
Barça, on the other hand, fell behind again in Europe, failing to reach the knockout rounds of the Champions League and losing to Manchester United in the Europa League, while the club are also embroiled in a referee pay scandal.
“We’re just concentrating on the competition,” said Xavi on Saturday. “We try to stay natural with the players and not get distracted by all that can happen at a club like this.”
like watching
El Clásico kicks off at 4pm ET on Sunday afternoon at Camp Nou, Barcelona. It can be seen on the following channels:
Australia: Optus
Canada: TSN, RDS
Brazil: Star+, ESPN
UK: Premier Sports, La Liga TV, ITV
US: ESPN
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