El Clásico is undoubtedly the world’s greatest rivalry, with two of Europe’s most decorated clubs pitted against each other…
Special screenings are organized as far as South Asia for El Clásico, and the result decides which fan-base gets the bragging rights until the next face-off between the two giants. Each season is an attempt to add as many trophies as possible, and recent history provides a basis for the conclusion that these attempts are fruitful.
As the season draws to a close in Kiev, the rivalry has picked up some aggression. Jordi Alba came out and answered a question regarding who he favours in the UCL final saying, “I would never want Real Madrid to win.”
Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid’s captain, answered with the following statement:
“It’s true that Barcelona have had a great season. They deserved to win the Liga and Copa del Rey, but if your biggest rival wins the Champions League, things change. If we win on Saturday, their double will be eclipsed.”
Both of them are right. I would never want Real Madrid to win a third successive Champions League, but if they do – which they probably will – things do change.
Barça have completed a domestic double this season, a tremendous achievement that many are yet to appreciate. The Roma debacle and the almost undefeated season have left a sour taste in the mouths of club faithful, leaving Culés unsatisfied. When you’re in touching distance of footballing immortality, anything less feels like an underachievement.
When you stop Barcelona's unbeaten season with a hat-trick. 👕 pic.twitter.com/P4X8ZmYppJ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 13, 2018
To make matters worse, Real Madrid’s sub-par showing in domestic competitions has been masked by their success in Europe. Nobody fusses over their loss vs. Espanyol, for example, because they’ve made it all the way to Kiev. Getting all suited up for the big occasion is all it takes to clean the slate – a sight that has become all too common now.
The Champions League boasts the glittery piece of silverware that attracts the most attention. Europe’s elite engage in a contest to determine who is the greatest – or at least that’s how it used to be. Now, it seems the UCL follows a different format. 31 teams engage in the contest to determine who will face Real Madrid in the final. This is no exaggeration either as Real Madrid have now made it to four of the last five finals.
Barça crave European success after failing to make the semi-final stages since 2015. Real Madrid, on the other hand, have become European specialists and often fall short in La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Los Blancos’ ascend to continental glory seems to have had a major impact on the Spanish footballing hierarchy as well.
Even after the Blaugrana had gotten over the glorious period under Pep, the club maintained their dominance over domestic competitors. El Clásico results were favourable and Real were struggling with a new face in the dugout every season. This changed in 2016 as Madrid found a calming presence in Zinedine Zidane. He avoided defeat in his first ever Clásico – something Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez, Manuel Pellegrini, and Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t avoid.
"They don't give him enough merit…
"If Pep did it, people would be shouting from the rooftops!"
Former #RealMadrid man believes Zidane isn't getting enough credit.
And deserves much more respect.
🗣 https://t.co/faB7pKkmzN pic.twitter.com/YPft2WNplI
— MARCA in English (@MARCAinENGLISH) May 24, 2018
Only a Galáctico knows how to tackle a dressing room of Galácticos, after all. He has reinstated belief in the ranks, and to great effect. Over two seasons, his team have built a rapport of never giving up. They can be down to a Kimmich goal in the Allianz Arena, but remain unfazed as they know they will come back. Even when Real Madrid were losing 3-0 to Juventus, the Italian fans weren’t celebrating. Their reluctance was evidently rooted in reason as Lucas Vazquez crashed to the floor following a clumsy Benatia challenge.
This belief is backed up by some great signings over the years. Kroos, Modric, Kovacic, Isco, and Asensio were all purchased for cheap and have gone on to cement their legacies as Merengue legends. Real Madrid loaned out a huge name like James Rodriguez and sold Alvaro Morata in what seemed liked a shocking summer window. The gamble was on team work vs. ego as Zidane chose untapped potential (Asensio, Kovacic) over proven talent – and it eventually paid off.
Barça, on the other hand, have unnecessarily tweaked with a winning strategy. Famed for youth progression, La Masia stars are struggling to break into the first team. President Bartomeu and his board’s atrocities are enough to constitute another article on their own. Once home to the Catalan Holy Trinity of Xavi, Busquets, and Iniesta – renowned for passing the opponent to death – their future seemingly involves pairing Busquets with physical powerhouses like Paulinho and Rakitic. Messi has also gone from finishing moves to creating them, with the Levante loss providing glimpses of a future without the Argentinian.
Even though Barça bounced back from last season’s failures and delivered a fitting tribute to Andres Iniesta, one is left to wonder how much of that is down to Lionel Messi? As impractical as it sounds, Messi has been the most decisive player in the world this season.
https://twitter.com/INFOSMESSl/status/990696936356401152
His heat map, xG graphs, and other stats prove what an extraordinary campaign he has had. He scored the most goals while operating as the fulcrum of Barça’s midfield. Keeping up with the extraterrestrial standards the Argentine has set for himself, Leo won La Liga undefeated as he only played in 36 matches. During that time, he scored 34 and set up another 12 (!), winning more points than anybody else in the league and taking home his 5th Golden Boot – becoming the first player to do so in the award’s history.
The future remains uncertain, but Zidane has reaffirmed his preference for domestic success, alongside European triumphs, countless times. Real Madrid are unpredictable, but that is a trait Zidane will look to end should he be allowed to continue at the Bernabéu – and Real will surely be on the prowl to regain La Liga. Barça have a huge hole to fill and a #8 jersey to give out, but the weight is still shouldered by Leo Messi. Next season needs to be different as Valverde will be expected to deliver the club’s sixth Champions League trophy.
As Real Madrid and Barça go all out for glory next season, questions who comes out on top in the Clásico rivalry can only be answered come May 2019.