El Clásico December 10, 2011: Barcelona and Real Madrid both in stellar form

El Clásico December 10, 2011: Barcelona and Real Madrid both in stellar form leading up to the match

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are in excellent form going into this Saturday’s Clasico.  Los Blancos have the best team the club has had since the 1950s, having earned 37 points from 14 games, a record for la Liga Española. Barcelona is also in top form, though a 1-0 defeat away to Sporting Gijon last week has left them three points behind the league leaders, having played one game more (15).

Over the weekend, Angel di Maria distinguished himself in a 3-0 win over Sporting Gijon. Meanwhile, Cesc Fábregas was instrumental in a 5-0 win for Barcelona over fourth place Levante. The superb form of both teams will set up this Saturday’s match for a tremendous encounter.

Real Madrid is no longer the clutch of anti-football schoolyard bullies that Barcelona thrashed and humiliated 5-0 at Camp Nou twelve months ago.  Madrid are playing attacking football and scoring plenty of goals, averaging just under four goals per game. They have played several games with skill and style this season against weaker teams, and it is possible that the ugly “win at all costs” and “park the bus” defend and counterattack style that the self-named “Special One” Mourinho had used to such great success in the past may be behind them.  It remains to be seen, however, if they will maintain the high road of the “beautiful game” and continue to play an open and attacking game against a team with the consummate skill and possession ability of Barcelona.

Barcelona is beyond all doubt the greatest team in the modern game.  Champions of Spain and champions of Europe, they play beautiful tiki-taka attacking football and remain true to their style no matter who they play.  There are no secrets when you play against Barcelona.  The team will keep possession with short passes on the ground and pass the ball into the back of your net.  The problem is not figuring out what they are going to do, but rather figuring out how to stop them. 

In the recent past, Madrid has been the team on the outside looking in as Barcelona collected the silverware.  But could the balance of power be changing?   Tune in this Saturday to find out!

The history of Mourinho's Real Madrid v Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona
Nov 29, 2010: La Liga, Barça 5, Real 0. Barcelona played with joy and pleasure while Mourinho’s side were brushed aside like schoolboys.
April 16, 2011: La Liga, Real 1, Barça 1. This draw ensures that Barca will keep the title of Spanish Champions at the Bernabeu.  
April 20, 2011: Copa del Rey final (Valencia), Barça 0, Real 1. The only trophy for Los Blancos was won by Ronaldo's header in extra time against the run of play.  
April 27, 2011: Champions League semi-final 1st leg, Real 0, Barça 2. Real Madrid was again humiliated at home as Barca proves to be the far superior side.
May 3, 2011: Champions league semi-final 2nd leg, Barça 1, Real 1. Real play a more even game, and are able to achieve a draw at the Nou Camp.
Aug 14, 2011: Spanish Supercup, Real 2, Barça 2. Real again play well, with Xabi Alonso scoring a late equalizer.  
Aug 17, 2011: Spanish Supercup, Barça 3, Real 2. Jose Mourinho  shows his ugly side once again by fighting on the sideline. Nevertheless, Barca get the win with a late goal from Lionel Messi to break the draw.
Dec. 10, 2011:  ????