On the night of April 10, Barcelona will be walking on the grass of Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu, as both La Liga leaders face each other in El Clasico.
The winner will certainly go on to win the Primera Division, and in case Barcelona succeed in getting all the 3 points in Madrid, then they will be clarifying their hopes of keeping their Spanish League title.
In this article, LiveSoccerTV.com focuses on El Clasico from the Barcelona point of view, as we evaluate diverse statistics, facts, and information concerning the Blaugrana – before reaching the final expectations of what is regarded as club football’s fiercest clash.
Statistics – FC Barcelona 2010, Away From Home
Like the majority of clubs, Barcelona are less impressive away from home than at home. Barcelona have won 10 times, drawn 4 times, and lost once away.
Their away loss – which is their only defeat of the season in La Lig so far – was against struggling side Atletico Madrid. Otherwise, Barca have a pretty good record away from home, and shockingly, they happen to be more disciplined than in their games at home, with 11 less fouls.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona - Watch El Clasico Live - View Match Page
Away from home, Barcelona surpass their archrivals Real Madrid in points, having 34 points overall – whereas Real have 32. Barcelona’s highest result away from home was their 5-0 win over Tenerife in January earlier this year, with Lionel Messi making his first hat-trick of the season.
Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, Barcelona could resist the Madrid hosts and prove why they are arguably the most powerful club in the world. Every single move made by the defending champions will hence be closely analyzed, in search of hidden clues to the final result.
El Clasico Statistics – A Quick Look Back Into History
Barcelona have lost four more times than Real Madrid away from home in the history of El Clasico. Barca have suffered setbacks at the Bernabeu 50 times since the creation of El Derbi Español; while the Castellans have 46 defeats at the Camp Nou.
The last El Clasico meetings at the Santiago Bernabeu
On the 10th of April 2005, Barcelona traveled away to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid for the last time that season, and the away side lost 4-2. Goals came from Zidan, Ronaldo, Raul, and Owen for Real Madrid; while Eto’o and Ronaldinho were on the scoring sheet for the Catalans.
Seven months later, Barcelona fought back and beat Los Blancos 3-0 in revenge, with Eto’o and Ronaldinho pushing the Azulgrana to glory. In October 2006, Raul and Nistelrooy controversially helped Real Madrid grab a 2-0 victory over their challengers at the Bernabeu, leaving Barcelona wondering about their questionable form.
In 2008, May 17, Barcelona suffered one of their hugest losses against Madrid, as they were rattled by four goals to one due to nice displays from Raul, Robben, Higuain and Nistelrooy; as well as debatable decisions from the referee. Thierry Henry got a consolation four minutes from time, but it didn’t seem enough to shift his side to success that night.
Eventually, under Coach Pep Guardiola, Barcelona took a fearful revenge, and on the 2nd of May 2009, Henry, Puyol, Messi and Pique all contributed to the Catalans’ 6-2 triumph over Real Madrid. Such a win made the headlines all over the newspapers around the world, and Real could only realize that they had turned their Bernabeu Stadium into a circus.
That defeat for the current La Liga first-placed team was one of their heaviest losses ever in the history of El Clasico at home; and thus, they will want to kill off their opponents on Saturday, having the advantage of fielding great stars including Cristiano Ronaldo, alongside Gonzalo Higuain.
Quotes – FC Barcelona’s Thoughts
Surprisingly, the Barcelona manager told all his players that expressing their opinions ahead of their game against Real Madrid was strictly prohibited. Hence, no one can confirm what the players expect from their clash on Saturday, as they refuse to answer any question concerning the big Clasico.
Defender Gerard Pique has nevertheless revealed that he hoped to feature in his side’s line-up against Madrid, as he felt in great condition. Pique was diagnosed with an injury recently, which could leave him out from El Clasico at the Bernabeu.
El Clasico – Barcelona Players To Watch
Fighting like they did against Arsenal on Tuesday in the Champions League is indubitably not recommended for their match this weekend against Real Madrid. Barcelona seemed to be a one-man team against the Gunners, and with Real Madrid so badly aiming for a victory, unity and team work will be needed so as to survive.
Obviously, a few players among the Barcelona squad are more likely to have an impact in the game than others, and below, we see the list of playmakers with good chances to shine:
Lionel Messi
Messi has been in the form of his life for Barcelona in his last matches. Messi scored four goals in the Champions League in mid-week, and he is almost as good in his away encounters as in his home games.
Messi has been the killer in recent Clasicos meetings, having scored 3 goals against Real Madrid in only two meetings. The Argentine is also among the top scorers of the Classic, having scored six goals in his career past his rivals, equaling the record of Regueiro and Luis Enrique.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
(the striker has been ruled out of this match due to flu like symptoms - April 9)
The striker might be new at the Spanish club, but he quickly showed his worth by scoring Barcelona’s winning goal this season when his side met Real Madrid at home to the Camp Nou. Barcelona won 1-0 in front of nearly 100,000 fans, but this time, being away to Madrid, Ibrahimovic could have a few problems in dealing with the away crowd.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic did not play for Barcelona last week when they beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at home, nor did he play against Arsenal in the second leg of the quarterfinals in the Champions League. The Swede international was said to have obtained an injury while training for La Liga contenders, but through his return, he could prove why he is one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s biggest enemies on the pitch.
Xavi Hernandez
The Spanish midfielder Xavi Hernandez is also a player to watch prior to the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. The veteran Spaniard has been considered as one of the best players in the world this year, and he is probably Lionel Messi’s best partner on the field.
Xavi is said to be the “midfield Maestro” of football, since he appears to be the key to Barcelona’s unmatchable possession in front. The assistant skipper – on some occasions – comes as Barcelona’s most dangerous player, and the Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas wasn’t slow in stamping this fact.
According to the Real ace, Xavi being fit would mean a tough battle for the Castellans, who are already thinking of stopping the powerful Lionel Messi. Xavi might make some good passes in the game, and perhaps one or two assists, if he doesn’t steal a goal in his name.
Andres Iniesta
Iniesta is adored by the Catalans as the perfect Barcelona player. He has been with the club for 14 years and is a product of the philosphy of FC Barcelona. He is capable of playing all over the midfield and is synergstic with Barca midfield. He has great influence in games, specifically his role in knocking out Chelsea from the Champions League Semi-Finals last year.
Andres Iniesta is expected to come back for Barcelona after he was diagnosed with an injury late in March. Andres Iniesta's injury - which was said to last 10 days - unfortunately kept the midfielder out of action longer than anticipated, but luckily, the Barca star will be eligible to feature against Real Madrid.
El Ilusionista is among Barcelona's most dangerous players, and he has never failed in showing his fierceness against Los Blancos. Despite the fact that his major achievement came in the UEFA Champions League last season against Chelsea when he scored a late equalizer to send Barcelona in the final, he could still make a huge impact in El Clasico this Saturday, as he looks to increase his goal tally in the league and ameliorate his contributions for the club.
El Clasico – Possible Line-Up For Barcelona
Most of Barcelona’s players are in form for the Real Madrid vs Barcelona match, and below is the possible list of their starting line-up:
- Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Daniel Alves, Maxwell, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Seydou Keita, Lionel Messi, Pedro Rodriguez, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Catalans are anticipated to play a 4-3-3 game with Messi and Pedro supporting Ibra in front.
El Clasico – Expectations From Barcelona
Guardiola's FC Barcelona are expected to take control of the clash right from the referee’s opening whistle. A hard resistance from Real Madrid might demand more mental strength from the Catalans, but having Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Andre Iniesta, Barcelona should get a nice share in the game.
Without Ibrahimovic, the Catalan side will have a different looking attack. Without a target man, Barcelona may rely on fluid movements and posession to open up the Madrid defence. Ibra will be missed as his form has been good in his recent appearance against Arsenal at the Emirates in London when he scored two quick goals in the second half.
Cristiano Ronaldo might be a threat for the visitors, but fortunately, Carlos Puyol is prepared to take care of the former FIFA World Player of the Year.
In the end, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona giving their all for a victory, Barcelona are likely to get at least a draw. If not, then Pep Guardiola’s boys could grab a 2-1 win.
Barcelona’s last five matches in La Liga
Here is a list of Barcelona’s last five matches in all competitions.
- March 24: Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna
- March 27: Mallorca 0-1 Barcelona
- March 31: Arsenal 2-2 Barcelona
- April 3: Barcelona 4-1 Athletic Bilbao
- April 6: Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal
Barcelona have scored 13 goals in their last five matches, and conceded only 5. This shows are strong they are in front of goal, but we are yet to know if they will be as impressive as they seem to be against Real Madrid this Saturday.
La Liga Standings (Top 5) – April 8, 2010
- Real Madrid – 77 points
- Barcelona – 77 points
- Valencia – 56 points
- Sevilla – 48 points
- Mallorca – 48 points
A win for Barcelona against Real Madrid on Saturday night at the Bernabeu Stadium will send the Spanish League title holders on top of La Liga three points ahead of Los Blancos. Barcelona will also have a stronger Head-to-Head, which could confirm their triumph in La Liga for the second time in a row
Read the Real Madrid vs Barcelona 2010 El Clasico match preview from a Madridista perspective.
