Team news
You can count Angel Di Maria out of El Clasico. The Argentine picked up two bookings within 20 minutes at Riazor last weekend and must therefore serve suspension. While he could profit of his absence by refreshing his legs ahead of next week’s do-or-die Champions League match away to Manchester United, other team mates such as Kaka, Luka Modric and Michael Essien are likely to make Real Madrid’s starting XI against Barcelona on Saturday.
For the visitors, doubts surround Lionel Messi’s availability. La Pulga missed Wednesday’s training session with illness. His colleagues, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas had to be given painkilling injections to feature in Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, according to Mundo Deportivo.
In fact, Jordi Roura has a tough problem to solve when it comes to squad selection. The key is to infuse more creativity and energy in the squad. Striker David Villa may benefit of this necessity, just as much as Cristian Tello, Thiago Alcantara and Mascherano while Puyol and Pique may be dropped after their embarrassing show in Camp Nou during Tuesday’s Spanish Cup loss.
Analysis
El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu this Saturday comes as arguably the most insignificant one Real Madrid have ever played in several years. With 2013 Copa del Rey final tickets in one hand and a UEFA Champions League quarter-final spot to fight for next Tuesday, there appears to be no added pressure on this weekend’s clash against Barcelona.
The 16-point gap between the league leaders and Los Blancos means that the latter can play for nothing more than pride and momentum. That said, Jose Mourinho will have the luxury of resting his stars for next week’s European showdown against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, one must not be misled by thinking that Real Madrid will not try to defeat Barcelona on Saturday. The hosts are set to play at their very best with the picked squad. After all, clinching La Liga title may seem as an impossible task but destroying Barcelona’s confidence looks plausible.
The Catalans have reigned supreme in Spain, Europe and the world for the past four years. This year, however, glory in La Liga could be their only achievement. It is not the fact that Barcelona might end the season with ‘only’ one trophy that is alarming, but the manner in which they lost the Copa del Rey on February 26 and self-destruct at the San Siro in the UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona are currently in a state where deep concentration and some renovation work are needed. Triumphing on Real Madrid’s turf would give the Blaugrana good energy to move on from their recent slumps and bounce back. However, Jose Mourinho has an agenda to fulfil and destabilizing the mighty Catalans – before he reportedly quits the Spanish capital this summer – is certainly on his to-do list.
Facts
• Only two of the last six Clasicos in all competitions were played at the Santiago Bernabeu and Barcelona have not managed to net more than one goal in each of these two matches.
• The last time Barcelona defeated Real Madrid was in the Supercopa de Espana on August 23, 2012. The Catalans eventually lost the tie 4-4 on aggregate with the away goals rule coming into play.
• Real Madrid and Barcelona have both won their respective last three matches in the Spanish La Liga.
• Barcelona (82) have netted 20 goals more than Real Madrid (62) in La Liga.
• With 23 goals allowed in 25 matches, Real Madrid have a slightly better defence than Barcelona (28) in La Liga.
• Real Madrid's W-D-L record at home in La Liga reads 10-2-0.
• Barcelona's W-D-L record away from home in La Liga reads 11-1-1.
Prediction
Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona
