Xavi and Carles Puyol, the only two survivors from the last Clasico in the Champions League, back in 2002.
Lionel Messi is the top striker in all the competitions: He shares the top of the Copa del Rey with Cristiano Ronaldo (seven goals each), but Messi leads La Liga, the SuperCup and the Champions League with thirty-one, three and nine goals respectively.
Pep Guardiola decided not to risk his top striker Lionel Messi in the last Liga game. Messi played less than thirty minutes, more than enough to score the second goal to seal Barcelona's victory over Osasuna.
Barcelona's offensive is one of the deadliest at the moment. Out of the 139 Barcelona scored this season, Lionel Messi has played a major role in 73 (50 goals, 23 assists). Last Saturday's goal granted Messi yet another award, becoming the highest scorer of all times in the Spanish League.
Barcelona visits the Santiago Bernabeu this Wednesday for a major Champions League clash. Out of the three Clasicos played so far this season, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have claimed one victory, with a tied game two Saturdays ago in La Liga.
Another chapter in the endless rivalry between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be written tomorrow's night, who will succeed?
Barcelona's treble dreams were shattered upon their last visit to the Mestalla, when Cristiano Ronaldo's header turned Real Madrid into the Spanish Cup champion. Another defeat at the derby could have a major impact on the spirit of Guardiola's Blaugranas.
Jose Mourinho's Merengues did an excellent job in the last two Clasicos asphyxiating Lionel Messi and stopping him from interacting with Xavi, Andres Iniesta or David Villa. Messi's partnership with Daniel Alves, on the other hand, kept Real Madrid's defenders constantly busy.
According to Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdez "Messi gives us a lot more than just goals. He supports the team in defence and in attack. His work helps everyone." Guardiola himself confirmed the same perspective back in January, when Messi was awarded the Golden Ball "We're here to lend him a hand so that all of his talent can be best expressed,"
Xabi Alonso and Pepe nullified Messi when the Argentinean lead the attack from the centre of the field but they struggled endlessly to keep up with the pace of Alves and Messi when attacking from the wings.
Barcelona's boss confirmed he'll deploy his whole artillery against Real Madrid to secure half a ticket for the grand finale: "If we go to the Bernabeu aiming to defend they will take advantage" said Pep Guardiola. Messi is the main engine in his offensive trident, though Spanish internationals Pedro and David Villa (who ended an eleven-match goal draught against Osasuna) have proven to be perfectly fit to lead the attack on their own.
Messi has already reached the half century mark, and it is yet to see which surprises will arise in the last six remaining games (seven if Barcelona makes it to the final of the Champions League).
Thanks to the goal scored from the 12 yards in La Liga's Clasico two weeks ago, Lionel Messi became Barcelona's joint-third highest striker in El Clasico with nine goals. Messi also ended a 12-game dry streak against Jose Mourinho. Will he lead Barcelona towards the victory this Wednesday against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu?
Pep Guardiola decided not to risk his top striker Lionel Messi in the last Liga game. Messi played less than thirty minutes, more than enough to score the second goal to seal Barcelona's victory over Osasuna.
Barcelona's offensive is one of the deadliest at the moment. Out of the 139 Barcelona scored this season, Lionel Messi has played a major role in 73 (50 goals, 23 assists). Last Saturday's goal granted Messi yet another award, becoming the highest scorer of all times in the Spanish League.
Barcelona visits the Santiago Bernabeu this Wednesday for a major Champions League clash. Out of the three Clasicos played so far this season, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have claimed one victory, with a tied game two Saturdays ago in La Liga.
Another chapter in the endless rivalry between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be written tomorrow's night, who will succeed?
Barcelona's treble dreams were shattered upon their last visit to the Mestalla, when Cristiano Ronaldo's header turned Real Madrid into the Spanish Cup champion. Another defeat at the derby could have a major impact on the spirit of Guardiola's Blaugranas.
Jose Mourinho's Merengues did an excellent job in the last two Clasicos asphyxiating Lionel Messi and stopping him from interacting with Xavi, Andres Iniesta or David Villa. Messi's partnership with Daniel Alves, on the other hand, kept Real Madrid's defenders constantly busy.
According to Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdez "Messi gives us a lot more than just goals. He supports the team in defence and in attack. His work helps everyone." Guardiola himself confirmed the same perspective back in January, when Messi was awarded the Golden Ball "We're here to lend him a hand so that all of his talent can be best expressed,"
Xabi Alonso and Pepe nullified Messi when the Argentinean lead the attack from the centre of the field but they struggled endlessly to keep up with the pace of Alves and Messi when attacking from the wings.
Barcelona's boss confirmed he'll deploy his whole artillery against Real Madrid to secure half a ticket for the grand finale: "If we go to the Bernabeu aiming to defend they will take advantage" said Pep Guardiola. Messi is the main engine in his offensive trident, though Spanish internationals Pedro and David Villa (who ended an eleven-match goal draught against Osasuna) have proven to be perfectly fit to lead the attack on their own.
Messi has already reached the half century mark, and it is yet to see which surprises will arise in the last six remaining games (seven if Barcelona makes it to the final of the Champions League).
Thanks to the goal scored from the 12 yards in La Liga's Clasico two weeks ago, Lionel Messi became Barcelona's joint-third highest striker in El Clasico with nine goals. Messi also ended a 12-game dry streak against Jose Mourinho. Will he lead Barcelona towards the victory this Wednesday against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu?
