A quick look at how well have they done in Madrid before?
Only six months ago, Barcelona overwhelmed Real Madrid at the Camp Nou and celebrated a sound 5-0 victory. The temperature of the game kept rising as the minutes went by, and referee Iturralde González was forced to book eleven players, without counting the ejection of Sergio Ramos.
The situation is radically different nowadays, as the Liga title itself is at stake. But it is not the first time Real Madrid and Barcelona must face four Clasicos in a row.
Real Madrid claimed two victories back in 1916, while Barcelona won once and a memorable 6-6 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A victory might keep Real Madrid eligible for the title, though they'd still have to overcome an alleged five-point gap in just seven games. Let's not forget Barcelona has only been defeated once so far in the Spanish league.
80 times has Barcelona been at the Santiago Bernabeu for a Liga clash, and the general outcome of their performance in Madrid is rather disappointing, with 50 victories for the hosts, 16 for the Blaugranas and 14 ties. Jose Mourinho's Galacticos have been much more effective than their eternal rival in Madrid. Los Blancos have scored 169 goals in the Bernabeu, almost twice as much as Barcelona with 89 goals.
But many things have changed in the last 95 years. Out of the last 10 Clasicos, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have claimed four victories, tying two games. Barcelona has won the last two matches, and a third consecutive victory would decimate the spirit of Mourinho's Blancos for the next three Clasicos.
Lionel Messi's and Cristiano Ronaldo's rivalry is likely to reach a turning point as the Cule squad visits Madrid. With 29 Liga goals each, they lead the striking table unchallenged. Behind them, David Villa appears to be the third alternative, with 17 goals, followed by Fernando Llorente and Giuseppe Rossi.
The confidence of the Catalonian squad remains intact as they prepare for the first derby of the year. Blaugrana's captain Xavi defined Barcelona "more as a lesson in life than a football-related institution". He nevertheless highlighted their main advantages for this clash, especially Lio Messi's excellent form.
The Argentinean has already tasted Real Madrid's seven times. His double granted Barcelona a sound 5-0 victory in the first game of the season. ""He can do the most amazing things, utterly difficult in just a fraction of a second. He's beyond understanding, he's incredible" declared Xavi earlier this week.
"We're simple people, we like football and we respect people" he added, in clear response to Jose Mourinho's manners during the days before the Clasico.
Real Madrid hosts Barcelona on Saturday 20th with much more than three points at stake. Who would succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu?
The situation is radically different nowadays, as the Liga title itself is at stake. But it is not the first time Real Madrid and Barcelona must face four Clasicos in a row.
Real Madrid claimed two victories back in 1916, while Barcelona won once and a memorable 6-6 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A victory might keep Real Madrid eligible for the title, though they'd still have to overcome an alleged five-point gap in just seven games. Let's not forget Barcelona has only been defeated once so far in the Spanish league.
80 times has Barcelona been at the Santiago Bernabeu for a Liga clash, and the general outcome of their performance in Madrid is rather disappointing, with 50 victories for the hosts, 16 for the Blaugranas and 14 ties. Jose Mourinho's Galacticos have been much more effective than their eternal rival in Madrid. Los Blancos have scored 169 goals in the Bernabeu, almost twice as much as Barcelona with 89 goals.
But many things have changed in the last 95 years. Out of the last 10 Clasicos, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have claimed four victories, tying two games. Barcelona has won the last two matches, and a third consecutive victory would decimate the spirit of Mourinho's Blancos for the next three Clasicos.
Lionel Messi's and Cristiano Ronaldo's rivalry is likely to reach a turning point as the Cule squad visits Madrid. With 29 Liga goals each, they lead the striking table unchallenged. Behind them, David Villa appears to be the third alternative, with 17 goals, followed by Fernando Llorente and Giuseppe Rossi.
The confidence of the Catalonian squad remains intact as they prepare for the first derby of the year. Blaugrana's captain Xavi defined Barcelona "more as a lesson in life than a football-related institution". He nevertheless highlighted their main advantages for this clash, especially Lio Messi's excellent form.
The Argentinean has already tasted Real Madrid's seven times. His double granted Barcelona a sound 5-0 victory in the first game of the season. ""He can do the most amazing things, utterly difficult in just a fraction of a second. He's beyond understanding, he's incredible" declared Xavi earlier this week.
"We're simple people, we like football and we respect people" he added, in clear response to Jose Mourinho's manners during the days before the Clasico.
Real Madrid hosts Barcelona on Saturday 20th with much more than three points at stake. Who would succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu?
