An El Clasico treat awaits - 7M sport

An El Clasico treat awaits

A triumphant Real Madrid seek to stop a super Barcelona


Posted Saturday, December 23, 2017 by Marca.com

An El Clasico treat awaits

With both teams enjoying a good moment of form and about to face each other for the third time this season, Real Madrid and Barcelona will be hoping for a spectacular El Clasico to finish off the year, and the former, fresh from their Club World Cup triumph, will be looking to derail the latter, unbeaten since their last match at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

The reality is that both are on the crest of the wave, but make no mistake, this is a 'final.'

Real need the victory so they won't have to say goodbye to their league title (11 points behind, but with one game less), whilst the blaugrana will almost certainly eliminate their biggest rival for the league with a win.

Five titles in 2017, their most ever in a calendar year, give players, staff and supporters of Los Blancos the belief that they're still very much the team to beat.

The final trophy won, the Club World Cup, will be offered to their fans before the match, which is sure to create a fervent atmosphere as the teams warm up.

There will be no guard of honour of course, but a small party in honour of the world champions.

Zinedine Zidane's side can also be strengthened in the knowledge that one of those five titles was achieved in August against Barcelona.

It was the Supercopa de Espana, and Real were much better than their opponents, winning with authority both in the first leg at the Camp Nou (3-1) and the return (2-0).

Madrid have continued to win all titles available to them, but have faltered in the league, to the point of heading into this Clasico in a 'must-win' situation.

"We are forced to win," acknowledged Real captain, Sergio Ramos.

Blow to the league

Barcelona go to the Bernabeu with the undoubted goal of landing a final blow to their great rivals.

In spite of the club's public declarations that nothing will be decided because there is still a lot of LaLiga to be played, everybody knows that 14 points would be an insurmountable obstacle for Madrid.

Ernesto Valverde's team arrive with moderate optimism, but since the two painful defeats against Real in August, the trajectory of Barcelona can best be described as spectacular.

They've gone 24 straight games without losing and lead the table comfortably.

Without making any noise, Valverde has worked on both sporting and mental aspects, and has recovered the pressure that has been missing in recent years.

So much so, that they are the least scored against team in the league, thanks to an excellent defence and the exceptional Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Offensive work has not been necessary.

Leo Messi is responsible for that, fully aware that in a season without Neymar, he would have to drive the team on.

A reinforced Barcelona

The work of the coach can also be seen on a personal level.

Last season, three players finished by suggesting that they might leave Barcelona.

Valverde wouldn't allow it and from the first moment he has given all his confidence to Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic; the three in question.

Alba is key in attack and Leo's best partner; Iniesta has returned to take command; and Rakitic gives the balance that the team needs.

Barcelona have been cruising for a long time with every player at a very high level.

The only doubt will be the performance of their defence, without another of their key players: Umtiti.



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