The much-anticipated El Clasico is here, and Saturday April 2, 2016 is the date when two La Liga giants will bring the whole world to a standstill with some exciting football. On one hand, this is a revenge mission as Sergio Ramos puts it but on the other hand, Luis Enrique’s men have their eyes fixed not only on the bragging rights, but also the La Liga title.
When the two perennial rivals clashed at the Santiago Bernabeu in November last year, the score line was quite unexpected. Winning 4-0 in such a hostile environment for Los Blaugrana was not a mean achievement, and if they did it away from home, they will be hoping to do it even better at their fortress; the Nou Camp. But the Catalan giants are well-aware of the fact that they will be facing a rejuvenated Real Madrid under the stewardship of club legend Zinedine Zidane.
The French footballer-cum-tactician has managed to steer Los Blancos to crucial wins since taking over from Rafa Benitez earlier in January. Although he has not been able to keep up with the title race, his system of play and influence in the entire squad gives Los Blancos fans a reason to hope for a better 2016/17 season.
Zidane’s managerial stats at Real Madrid since 2016:
Matches played: 15
Games won: 11
Games drawn: 2
Games lost: 1
Goals for: 44
Goals against: 10
Points: 35
But first things first, they must restore their bragging rights and heal the wounds of the millions of Madridistas across the world who witnessed the horrific, embarrassing and humiliating 4-0 thumping in the hands of their bitter rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Luis Enrique’s managerial stats at FC Barcelona since 2014:
Matches played: 111
Games won: 89
Games drawn: 13
Games lost: 9
Goals for: 318
Goals against: 81
Points: 280
Luis Suarez celebrates his goal against Real Madrid in last year's El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. Saturday's clash will also be a battle of top scorers between Cristiano Ronaldo (28 goals) and Luis Suarez (26 goals) in La Liga.
They say once beaten, twice shy; Zinedine Zidane’s men are likely to come out strongly this time round knowing very well that a simple concentration lapse could see them soak in a lot of goals within a few minutes, thanks to the lethal Messi-Suarez-Neymar partnership up front (below). .jpg)
All eyes will be on the deadly Barca trio who have scored 69 goals and provided 32 assists in 79 appearances in La Liga so far this season. Talking of partnerships, Real Madrid also boast of their very own Bale-Benzema-Cristiano trio, famously known as BBC. The BBC trinity has scored 63 La Liga goals and provided 21 assists in 69 appearances. Although the MSN trio looks more lethal this season, no one can underestimate the power of a wounded lion.
Here is a break down of Barca's stats in El Clasico (Source: @Barca19stats)
Across all competitions excluding country this season, MSN have scored 107 goals, provided 51 assists in 118 appearances. On the other hand, BBC have scored 80 goals and provided 26 assists in 85 appearances. The figures could have been higher for BBC (below) had they participated in Copa del Rey, but the Madrid giants were suspended for fielding an ineligible player.
With their eyes fixed on the title and Atletico Madrid hanging around the second position on the log hoping for Barca’s slipup, Los Blaugrana have no other choice apart from winning this fixture. Real Madrid know very well that a win will break their rival’s dominance in the league, and give their remaining opponents the hope that indeed, Luis Enrique’s men are beatable.
Which channel is broadcasting Barcelona vs Real Madrid on TV or Online?
USA: Tune in to fuboTV, beIN Sports USA, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. or beIN Sports en Español at 14:30 EDT on April 2, 2016.
Canada: Watch El Clasico live on beIN Sports Canada, beIN Sports en Español or beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada at 14:30 EDT.
UK: Watch Barcelona vs Real Madrid on Sky Sports 2/HD, SKY GO Extra or Sky Go UK at 19:30 BST.
Spain: Follow El Clasico live from Nou Camp on Movistar TV Fútbol, Canal+ Partidazo or Abono Futbol 1 at 20:30 CEST.
You can also watch El Clasico live on April 2, 2016 from your specific country across the world on different channels listed on our live broadcast page for Barcelona vs Real Madrid.
*NOTE: Live broadcast data is subject to change
Quick facts
- The hosts have scored over 2.5 goals in their last 14 La Liga games at home
- They have also scored at least 2 goals in their last 14 home games in La Liga
- Barca have not tasted defeat in their last 23 matches in La Liga
- Luis Enrique’s men have scored over 2.5 goals in their last nine games at home in El Clasico in all competitions
- Real Madrid have not beaten Barca at Nou Camp since April 2012
- Saturday’s clash will be the 231st meeting between the two rivals in all competitions
- Barcelona have the highest number of El Clasico wins (109)
- Lionel Messi is El Clasico’s all-time top scorer in all competitions with 21 goals
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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