Barcelona 5 - 0 Real Madrid (Highlights) : Clasico destruction by Barca

Barcelona 5 - 0 Real Madrid

This Clasico was built up as the closest in living memory. Two teams repleat with the best players the world has to offer. Contests of the highest order all over the park. Many believed what little difference there was between the two sides, Barcelona widely recognised as being the superior footballing side, the famous Mourinho factor more than made up for it. If anyone knew how to stem Barcas flow, it was Mourinho. Real Madrid came into the match one point ahead of Barca, and on the back of superb wins over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga and Ajax in the Champions League. Up until this afternoon there was very little to choose between the two sides. Then the massacre began.

And there's no two ways about it, whoever witnessed tonights match at the Camp Nou saw a match so ridiculously one-sided, it seems absurd to think the two were regarded as equals beforehand. There was absolutely nothing equal about Real Madrid and Barcelona tonight. Nothing at all. From the very first minute, Barcelona grabbed hold of the ball and through a mixture of breathtaking vision and metronomic precision, refused to give it back. Real Madrid were chasing shadows, and on the few occasions they were afforded possession, contrived to give it straight back to their hosts. It's been the story of the last five Clasicos.

Barcelona won the personal duels all over the park. Iker Casillas was badly at fault for Barcas second goal and looked a pale shadow of the man who has lead Spain to European Championship and World Cup glory. Victor Valdes, on the other hand, repelled everything that came his way. Cristiano Ronaldo appeared in fits and starts, but his contribution to the match was minimal compared to the second-half onslaught offered by Lionel Messi once Pep Guardiola pushed him into a deep-lying central role behind David Villa. The move saw Messi produce two sublime passes which lead to both of Villas goals. Cristiano, as he so often does in the big matches, retreated into his shell once the scoreline got embarrassing. He wasn't the only one.

Pep Guardiola more than won his tactical battle against Jose Mourinho with that positioning of Messi in the seconf half. So many times Mourinho has got it right in the past, but today he was caught short. With Gonzalo Higuain injured, perhaps he should have moved Cristiano Ronaldo into a more central role in attack, allowing him to place an extra man in midfield to close the spaces Barcelona can so easily take advantage of. He made a similar tactical switch at half-time bringing on Lass Diarra, but it was too late. Also, the high line played by the Real Madrid defence was suicidal. I lost count of the number of times Xavi or Iniesta set one of their front three one-on-one with Casillas. Had 'El Guaje' not strayed offside so often, it could well have been more than five.

Looking at both sides, and it's always easy to do in retrospect, this result was on the cards. Perhaps not such a convincing result, but a Barcelona win was always likely. Out of Barcas starting XV, not one was playing their first Clasico. Switch over to those lining up for Real Madrid and Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Angel Di Maria and Ricardo Carvalho were all making their debut in this most historic and suffocating of fixtures. With three of those 24 years old or under, nerves undoubtedly played their part. This Real Madrid team are very good and will only get better, especially with Jose Mourinho at the helm. But right now Barcelona are on another planet, with tonights 5-0 thrashing a timely reminder of the chasmic difference between the two sides.

Check all the goals and action below:

El Clasico Between Barcelona and Real Madrid to be played on Monday 29 November

It's official. The biggest fixture in Spain, and possibly the whole of Europe, will be played on a Monday. Not a Saturday, nor a Sunday. A Monday. Barcelona and Real Madrid will get the ball rolling at the Camp Nou in the seasons first installment of 'El Clasico' at 21.00 hours (CET) on 29th November as a result of the Catalan parliamentary elections taking place that weekend, which has forced the authorities to move it from Sunday 28th on security grounds. Strangely enough, fans across the country have taken the news quite badly, complaining that a fixture of such importance just HAS to be played at the weekend. Why? Because.

Of course there are some lucky lads and lasses who are rejoicing, namely those working the elections (ahem, politicians that receive nice free tickets, not that they had anything to do with this of course) and those unfortunate souls who work nights at the weekend. For once, they'll be able to savour one of the most eagerly anticipated Clasicos for years. There are other sets of fans who smuggly chirp on about if all the other clubs have to play on a Monday (Sevilla - Valencia on the last matchday being a perfect example), why not the almighty Barcelona and Real Madrid?

I understand their logic, but there's something about it being on a Monday that I fear will detract from the occasion. You just get the feeling it won't quite be the same. Take Wednesdays Manchester derby as a indicator of what I'm trying to get at. Jorge Valdano takes it a little further when saying; 'Playing a Clasico on a Monday is the easiest way of discrediting Spanish football infront of the watching world'. Harsh words. And then we could go on about reduced audience numbers and so on.

Perhaps it's simply the fact that you have to go to work first? Deep down I'm not too bothered about it being on a weekday, and in truth it should hardly matter to the players. Neither is there much of a difference for the fans. Play the match at 10pm on a Sunday and you still have to go into to work early the next day, and we all enjoy the Champions League don't we?

So instead of whining, let's think positive. You can partake in a whole load of pre-clasico banter with your workmates. You can say you witnessed only the third ever Clasico to have been played on a Monday. The players will have had an extra days rest, ready to give it hell on the field. And when all the fun is over, there are only four more days till the weekend. Happy days.

As seen on SBNation: http://www.sbnation.com/2010/11/11/1808946/el-clasico-set-to-cause-tuesday-wipeout

El Clasico: Barcelona and Messi show who's boss (Full Highlights)

Real Madrid 0 - 2 Barcelona
(0-1) 32' Messi, (0-2) 55' Pedro

Barcelona dealt a decisive blow in the title race, with a dominant display in the Bernabeu after Saturdays Clasico yielded a deserved 2-0 victory for 'Los Cules'. A match that was relatively lacking in quality but fraught with tension, two moments of sheer class from Xavi Hernandez set Messi and Pedro free, with both finishing emphatically past Iker Casillas. Cristiano Ronaldo produced a performance that was eerily similar to his showing for Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final against Barca. The first ten minutes he looked lively and dangerous, but when Xavi and Barca grabbed hold of the ball and refused to let it go, the Portuguese star faded dramatically. He is so intent on proving to the rest of the watching world that he is better than Leo Messi, that he forgets that football is essentially a team sport. His hissy fits and bouts of petulance do nothing for his manager or team.

It wasn't by any means a classic Barca performance, but it didn't need to be. Real Madrid were clueless in midfield and shaky at the back. Gonzalo Higuain did nothing to prove his doubters wrong, and Manuel Pellegrini only managed to draw more unnecessary criticism with substitutes that were more designed to please the upper echalons of Real Madrid than help the team itself. What Madrid lacked, Barca offered in abundance. Gerard Pique and Puyol were majestic in defence. Xavi and Busquets devine in midfield. And when the chances came their way, Messi and Pedro dispatched them clinically. Quite why Real Madrid started with Fernando Gago instead of Lass is a mystery. Gago was never going to contain Xavi, and this one tactical lapse proved crucial. Yet more than concentrate on tactical errors, the team, and more importantly Manuel Pellegrini, are handicapped by what happens behind the scenes. Real Madrid and all that surrounds the club needs to take a long hard look at itself. Headlines filled with arrogant statements of how they are going to win 3-0, or how Cristiano is going to prove he is better than Messi, need to stop. The club and press need to get off the managers back, and let him get on with his job. If Pellegrini doesnt survive the chop this summer, they need to give complete autonomy to whoever comes in. Florentino Perez and Jorge Valdano cannot be allowed to solely decide who is purchased. The writing was on the wall for Pellegrini before he even started. And with Marca on a mission to get rid of the Chilean, his future is bleak on the Bernabeu bench.

In the meantime what is evident is that Real Madrid are not in the same league as Barca. They may well be able to keep up with the Catalans whilst both are trawling their way across Spain against inferior opposition, but when they come face to face, there is only one winner right now. And as we enter the home straight in La Liga 2009/2010 there also only appears to be one winner. Pep Guardiola and his players have produced some spectacular football this year, led by the irrepresible Lionel Messi. Humble, honest, hard-working and truly world class sum up Messi and Barca. Qualities severely lacking at the Bernabeu.

Malaga 1 - 2 Sevilla

(1-0) 16' Caicedo, (1-1) 65' Cala, (1-2) 84' Lolo

Xerez 0 - 1 Getafe

(0-1) 60' Rafa

Villarreal 1 - 0 Sporting Gijon

(1-0) 16' Godin

Tenerife 0 - 0 Real Valladolid

Real Madrid - Barcelona: Where El Clasico will be won and lost

At 10pm Saturday evening, the footballing world will stop in its tracks and focus on events at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid and Barcelona kick off the 160th Clasico. It is being labelled the match of the millenium in these parts, as the Spanish press live up to their reputation as sensationalists of the highest order. What's certain, is that it will provide tension, drama and with a bit of luck a bagful of goals. The winner of the match will enter the home straight with a three point advantage, and with the way things are going will most likely be crowned La Liga champions come May. Here is where I think the match will be won or lost:

The Keepers: This Clasico will reunite the goalkeeper regarded as the best in the world, with one of the in-form keepers in world football. Iker Casillas and Victor Valdes will be facing two of the most potent attacking forces in the game. One error or one spectacular performance could be the difference between the two sides.

Messi v Ronaldo: Last time out this contest proved an overwhelming disappointment. Ronaldo missed a sitter whilst Messi hardly showed up to the party. We all know what they are both capable of, and neither will phased by a match of this magnitude, although with 6 Clasico goals already to his name, Messi will go into the match with the greater experience of these occasions. One moment of magic from either could settle the match. It will be a case of who turns up on the day. If they both turn up, what a match we have in store.

Madrid Defence: On Saturday they will be facing one of the worlds greatest. Leo Messi is in the form of his life, with four hat-tricks already in 2010. Alvaro Arbeloa has proved in the past he is capable of controlling Messi, but this weekend will be another test for the Spain right-back. Together with Sergio Ramos, if he manages to push Messi out wide and nullify his influence in the middle of the park, it will severely blunt Barca as an attacking force. Easier said than done, but don't expect another 2-6.

Higuaín: After his misfiring performance when Real Madrid got eliminated from the Champions League, many claimed that Gonzalo wasn't capable of delivering at the highest level. There will be no more motivated player than Higuain on the turf on Saturday. Barca beware.

Stop Xavi: It is widely stated that if you stop Messi and Xavi, you stop Barcelona. Harsh, but in some respects true. Don't be surprised if Manuel Pellegrini sticks Lass in the centre, with a strict order to follow Xavi closely. If the Frenchman succeeds, and allows Xavi Alonso plenty of time on the ball, Madrid will be in the money. Fail, and Xavi could rip them to shreds.

What's certain is that neither team will hold back. Both will go for the kill. It has all the makings of a classic Clasico, and one that promises to crown the winners the undisputed heavyweight champion of Spanish Football. I will finish with one statistic that might worry a few Real Madrid fans, and could prove a motivating factor for the Madrid players. On 10th November they got knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Alcorcón. On the 10th March they were eliminated from the Champions League by Lyon. 10th April: Judgement Day?

LA LIGA SUNDAY: El Clasico Highlights

BARCELONA 1 - 0 REAL MADRID

It was never going to be another 6-2, however much Barca wanted it to be, and so it proved. It was all about the three points, and it was Barcelona who made it three Clasico wins in a row thanks to a second-half bullet from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a monumental performance from captain Carlos Puyol. Real Madrid can count themselves unlucky as they restricted Barca to a handful of chances and flooded a midfield that Iniesta and Xavi could never quite take control of, but it was their failure to take advantage of their chances and a ludicrous second half decision from their manager which cost them dearly.

Ronaldo early miss

Cristiano Ronaldo had a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring early in the first half, but with the whole goal to aim for, he found Victor Valdes' right boot and the chance was gone. A fit Ronaldo would surely have stuck it away. Kaká created that chance with a devastating diagonal run, and there were other moments of class from the Brazilian, but he really needs to offer more if he is ever going to justify his pricetag, especially in games of this magnitude. Personal highlights of a tense first half were Thierry Henry being caught offside literally a thousand times, the ongoing verbals between Dani Alves and that hilarious ginger linesman who never fails to entertain, Iniesta getting angry (I'd never seen it before) and a green laser being pointed in the face of Cristiano; what's that all aboot?  Real Madrid had strangled the life out of Barca and looked dangerous on the break. It was looking rosy for Pelligrinis white army.

Zlatan to the rescue

But on came Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the second half, and six minutes into his Clasico debut he had put his team infront. And what a goal it was. Pique robbed Ronaldo in the Barca box and the ball was quickly moved forward. It was eventually laid out wide for Alves and he floated a trademark pinpoint cross in from the right which Ibrahimovic (56') met first time with a volley which shot past Casillas. Sheer quality. But moments later Sergio Busquets  made the game unnecessarily difficult when he was sent off for a silly second yellow, which infuriated Guardiola, and suddenly  it looked like Real might get something from the game.

Pelligrini lost his marbles?

Luckily for Barca, Pelligrini was having none of it. Ronaldo was looking dangerous everytime he got the ball. They were a man up, 1-0 down with twenty minutes left and beginning to turn the screw. What do you do? Take Ronaldo off of course. The man from Maderia didnt looked tired or injured, so I don't buy any of this prior warning from Dr Van Dijk that he could only play 60 mins. He could rest him next week against Almería at home, tonight he was vital. The manager will be lynched by the press and I dare say he deserves it. On the pitch Puyol was a rock with three match saving blocks from Higuain twice and Marcelo. Benzema came on and had a chance from a corner but he skied it. Messi and Pique could have put Barca out of sight but missed sitters. Five minutes from time Alonso hit a corner stright out of play. Unforgivable and Florentino looked to the heavens, so he might. 280 million euros and his team still can't beat Barca. Lass was then sent off for his second yellow and all Madrids hopes trudged down the tunnel with him.

So Barca take the first Clasico of the season and with it top spot in La Liga. It was by no means a vintage Barca performance, but it was a game full of technical excellence on behalf of both sides and Madrid can take heart from a solid showing. Ibrahimovic won the battle of the summer signings, and we will now have to wait until April 2010 for round two. It can't come soon enough for Real Madrid.

LA LIGA SUNDAY: Preview 29.11.09

REAL VALLADOLID v TENERIFE (Jose Zorrilla) Sun 5pm

Tenerife really need to end this run of theirs which has seen them lose every single one of their away matches this season. Real Zaragoza suffered a similar run of away results in 2007/2008 and they went down as a result. Both sides havn't won in their last three and are hovering just above the relegation zone, so its squeeky bum time.

Both sides play with a 4-5-1 formation in an attempt to squeeze the life out of the midfield, so todays match is unlikely to be pretty. Real Valladolid will see this match as an ideal opportunity to snatch three points off a direct rival, and as they have more options going forward, so I'll go for a home win.

KEY MAN: Diego Costa (VALL)
LLL Prediction: 2-0


GETAFE v XEREZ (Coliseum) Sun 5pm

You never know which Getafe is going to turn up these days, they just can't get a run of results together and follow a fantastic result with a drab loss. 0-2 win away at Espanyol followed by a 0-2 defeat at home to Deportivo. Michel will want nothing less than three points against La Ligas bottom side. Casquero is back in the fold and the home fans will be hoping Soldado has his shooting boots on.

My dear Xerez! How they stuggle to put the ball in the net. Last week they were immense and so unlucky not to beat Sporting. Sidi Keita (my new hero) put in a spectacular shift in the middle and was unlucky not to stick in a contender for goal of the season with a stunning overhead kick; the Mali man is pure box-office. But I fear the best they can hope for is another goalless draw, because for all their effort you need to put the chances away. And they don't.

KEY MAN: Roberto Soldado (GET)
LLL Prediction: 0-0


RACING SANTANDER v DEPORTIVO LA CORUÑA (El Sardinero) Sun 5pm

Racing fans havn't had much to cheer about recently. They've lost their manager, are on a dreadful run of results in the league and havn't won at home for almost 200 days! But the team they probably didn't want to face in an attempt to end that run was Deportivo who are yet to lose there since 1996. Already sucked into the bottom three they really need to pull all the stops out and give their new coach his first win since his return to the club.

Deportivo have gone about their business this year with an efficiency typified by coach Lotina. Without any superstars in the side they are tucked nicely inside the top five and a Champions League place is clearly up for grabs. They'll be hoping their silky full back Guardado is fit for the occasion, but apart from that they have no injury worries. A win will see them sidle up beside Sevilla and Valencia, and I reckon they'll get it.

KEY MAN: Riki (DEP)
LLL Prediction: 0-1


ALMERÍA v ATHLETIC BILBAO (Estadio Mediterráneo) Sun 5pm

Two sides that are going quietly about their business. Hugo Sanchez is working wonders at Almería with a limited but willing set of players under his control. Young Piatti is an exciting player who I can see moving to a big side in the future, whilst Uche is the player they rely upon to get the goals.

Caparros can't have expected his team to have started the season so well, with the draw against Barcelona confirming their continued improvement from last year. Llorente is always a danger upfront and Fran Yeste works his socks off in the middle, adding grit to his undoubted class on the ball. One player I would like to see play today is little Iker Muniain. Games like this are perfect for his development. Let him loose!

KEY MAN: Fernando Llorente (BIL)
LLL Prediction: 1-1


ZARAGOZA v OSASUNA (La Romareda) Sun 5pm

I was at this match two seasons ago and whilst they're not that close geographically, both sets of fans see this game as a local derby. Expect a scrappy match, with both teams seeing it as a chance to plant three points on the board, so they can sleep easier over xmas. Zaragoza are falling into the same pattern of results as two years ago and we all know what happened to them that season.

Both teams are experiencing an injury crisis which has left both frontlines depleted. Jermaine Pennant had got his Zaragoza career off to a good start but injury has robbed him of a chance to get a good run of games in. Big shame. Ewerthon is looking like he'll miss out for Zaragoza, whereas Pandiani is definitely out through suspension for Osasuna, so expect the odd goal to settle it.

KEY MAN: Angel Lafita (ZAR)
LLL Prediction: 1-0


BARCELONA v REAL MADRID (Camp Nou) Sun 7pm

It's all been said in the press, we've got the lights and cameras and now it's time for the action. Half the planet will sit down tonight in anticipation of the footballing feast on offer at the Camp Nou as Spain's two greatest of rivals lock horns in the first Clasico of 2009/2010. We'll all have our predictions; we all think we know what to expect, but the truth is games like this can throw up any result, as last seasons 2-6 proved.

Both Messi and Ronaldo are expected to start, and Ronaldo will be keen to level the score after Messi outplayed his rival for the Balon D'Or in last seasons Champions League final. It also seems Pelligrini has come to his senses and will start Higuaín alongside Benzema. Ibrahimovic appears to have recovered in time to lead the line for Barca.

KEY MAN: There are too many to name just one
LLL Prediction: 2-1


ATLETICO MADRID v ESPANYOL (Vicente Calderon) Sun 9pm

Out of the Champions League and second from bottom, Atlético can't aim for anything less than three points against an Espanyol team in the middle of a crisis of results themselves. As always, much will rest on Agüero and Forlán and whether or not the backline has learned how to defend in the last week. A loss could see them hit the bottom and the panic bells would really start to ring.

For Espanyol their week has been ruined with the news that talented midfielder Ivan De La Peña might have to retire because of his ongoing thigh problem. A huge shame for the classy ex-Barca player. Tamudo and Luis Garcia will be reunited in attack. The match has draw written all over it.

KEY MAN: The whole Atlético backline.
LLL Prediction: 1-1

Barcelona / Real Madrid Dream Team

Today Marca offers you the once in a lifetime opportunity to pick a Barca/Madrid XI, and as you can see I couldn't resist. Not the easiest of tasks and I feel a little bit guilty about loading it with Barca players, but with what Marca gave me, this is exactly how I would line them up. If I had it all my way, and to fit in Cristiano Ronaldo, I'd go for an attacking 3-5-2 formation, take out the left-back to leave a back three (cause quite frankly they would never have much to do) and stick Ronaldo on the right, Messi on the left, Lass protecting and Kaká playing just behind Ibrahimovic. Xavi and Iniesta mixing it up in the middle. Frightening. 

1.VALDES v CASILLAS: Madrid stopper best in the world

2.ALVES v RAMOS: Alves safer at the back. Greater goal threat

3.PIQUÉ v ALBIOL:   Pique best in the business right now

4.PUYOL v PEPE:   A leader of men. Vital for the big occasions

5.MAXWELL v ARBELOA:   Barca man settled in quicker of the two

6.TOURE v LASS:   Madrids most consistent performer

7.XAVI v ALONSO:   Xavi runs the show. Alonso not quite found his feet yet at Madrid.

8.INIESTA v MARCELO:   Only one winner. Iniesta is a class apart

9. MESSI v RONALDO:   El Clasico experience settles it. So difficult to choose between the two

10. IBRAHIMOVIC v BENZEMA:   7 goals for Zlatan. Frenchman hasn´t shown his class yet

11. HENRY v KAKÁ:    Brazilian able to turn a match in an instant

La Liga News: 24.11.09 El Clasico: Messi v Ronaldo: The race to be fit

With important Champions League matches tonight and tomorrow, and 'El Clasico' this weekend coming, the stars of both Madrid and Barcelona are tied up in a race against time. Both are carrying knocks, and the whole episode is providing a tense build-up to the biggest fixture in spanish football. Will they? Won't they? Of course they will.

  

Pep Guardiola is confident his Barcelona side can win the two matches against Inter Milan and Real Madrid, without Leo Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I guess when you've got Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro and man-of-the-moment Terry Henry as back up you can afford a few injuries!

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has renewed his contract until after the 2012 European Championships, but has the intention of retiring after the World Cup in Brazil, 2014. Every manager in the world must be envious of that man. What.a.squad.

Atlético Madrid are desparate to win in Cyprus against Apoel Nicosia. In order to save face, go out of the Champions League on a high and give a suffering fan base something to cheer about? Nope, to balance the books. And we wonder why they're in trouble.

Valencia have joined Atlético Madrid and Zaragoza in the race to sign Russia's hottest property, 'Chori' Dominguez. The striker has just finished the Russian season as league winner after his side Rubin Kazan won on the final day to seal the championship.

AND FINALLY: Think you´ve seen the worst own goal ever? Think again. This weekend the rather clumsy goalkeeper of Belgian team Roeselare, Jurgen Sierens, provided a moment that will play a starring role in Christmas videos for years to come. Priceless. 

And of course, if you can think of a better/worse own goal please leave a comment and link below so we can all have a little snigger!