Fans refer to the Real Madrid vs Barcelona league match as another clash to enjoy. For Barca—who would do anything to live—El Clasico will be much more than that.
At present, both Los Blancos and the Azulgranas have a shot at the treble. The Blaugrana completed a perfect season back in 2009, when they clinched trophies in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey. This term, it is Barca’s wish to dominate domestic and European football on another occasion; but in order to succeed, they will need to get the keys to glory by comprehensibly winning tonight’s Clasico.

Although Barcelona are currently enjoying a ‘comfortable’ lead at the top of the Spanish League standings, nothing is really guaranteed yet. Should they slip in the rankings by losing to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium, then the league race would be wide open again—while a considerable amount of energy within the Catalan club would be lost.

Losing momentum and stumbling is definitely the last thing Los Cules would want to do, since a mistake at this stage of their 2010/2011 season would be extremely costly. It would not necessarily be their league title dreams that would be at stake. In fact, more importantly, it would mainly be their chances of remaining the illustrious side they currently are now that would be at risk.

Through the approaching Clasico, Real Madrid will be hoping to regain their greatness and take away all the powers of their enemies.Indeed, a victory for Jose Mourinho and his men will hugely destabilize the defending Spanish champions, who will afterwards have to think about retaining their Spanish Cup title in April 20’s Copa del Rey final.

Striking Barcelona’s positive psychology is always a vital undertaking for any club challenging Barca, and the former Chelsea boss certainly knows how good the odds are prior to tonight’s Real Madrid vs Barcelona game. A win for his side tonight could be followed with the grabbing of the 2011 Copa del Rey trophy, and who knows, the European title...

After all, beating the one-time treble winners in El Clasico is an attainment that has never been earned by any manager since 2008, whereas it is obvious that a defeat at a point would have made the Catalans much more ordinary than they currently seem to be. Nevertheless, Coach Mourinho is aware of how imperative it is for Real to stun La Liga leaders at the Santiago Bernabeu; and with the fans strongly behind him, all that the Special One can do is leave up to expectations.

Already, Madrid have humbled well-respected sides this season, including AC Milan, Olympique Lyonnais, and Tottenham Hotspur. Despite their 5-0 humiliation back on 29 November 2009, it is very likely that they clarify their image in tonight’s Clasico by putting an end to their opponents’ 5-match unbeaten Clasico run.

With this in mind, there is a need to recognize that the upcoming battle will be an indescribably tough one for Barcelona; and whatever the result turns out to be, its effects will surely be of great magnitude. As a result, it will be up to Los Cules to fight with everything they have so as to destroy their archrivals’ plans and preserve the momentum that keeps them going this season.

Eventually, it will be much more than a match influencing La Liga table. It will be much more than a match influencing the pending 2011 Copa del Rey final. It will probably be greater than any Clasico that Blaugrana fans have witnessed under the leadership of Guardiola. It will most importantly be a battle that will decide the destiny of Spain’s most successful football club after Real Madrid: FC Barcelona.