كلاسينو على الأرض في كلاسيكو الأرض

بدون مقدمات أو مجاملات أو نقاشات… نعم يا سادة، لقاء برشلونة و ريال مدريد هو كلاسيكو الأرض و الكرة الأرضية و أرض الكرة٠

و مع ذلك فقد اختزلت الجماهير و الصحافة و النوابغ كل شيء بإسمين؛ ميسي و رونالدو٠

هنالك نقاط كثيرة يجب الوقوف عندها و لكن لضيق النفس سأسرد القليل منها٠

عودة لويس إنريكي إلى البيرنابيو: هل ستتساقط رؤوس الخنازير أو أنه ليس بالخائن؟

الإصابات في الفريقين: ما تأثير غياب بعض اللاعبين على المباراة؟ و هل وجود ميسي و رونالدو أهم من ال ٢٠ الباقين؟

مشاركة لويس سواريز: من قرّر بأن عقوبته قد انتهت؟ و ما تداعيات مشاركته؟ و هل سيكون الورقة الرابحة أو اللاعب الخجول في ليلة العرس الكروي؟

ترتيب الدوري: الكلاسيكو هو في نهاية المطاف إحدى مباريات الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإسباني و ليس نهاية البطولة في هكذا توقيت مبكر٠

الكرة الذهبية: من الممكن أن يكون تتويج أفضل لاعب بالعالم لعام ٢٠١٤ من أكثر التتويجات تعقيداً و تناقضاً و لإثارة للجدل، و من الممكن أن يساهم أداء ميسي أو رونالدو في الكلاسيكو بحسم الموضوع٠

دفاع برشلونة: هل سيصمد كلاوديو برافو أمام مزاح بيكيه و داني ألفيس و يكمل مسيرة حصد الأرقام القياسية في نظافة الشباك؟

تشافي هيرنانديز: الكلاسيكو الأخير في البيرنابيو؟

هذه نفحات عن الكلاسيكو و محاولة (شبه مستحيلة) للخروج عن نمطية ميسي و رونالدو في كل مباراة. بينما العالم بأسره ينتظر القمة و لا يرى سوى رأس الهرم، هنالك الكثير من الملابس الوسخة المعدّة للنشر٠

 

El Clasico Thoughts: La Liga 2013-2014 – Round 2

Tonight the world will witness the biggest match on planet earth and for the first time in 2014. The last time both teams met was in October 2013.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona kicks off at 20:00 GMT (which is exactly midnight or 00:00 Dubai Time – 22:00 Lebanon Time – 23:00 KSA Time)

There are many things you need to know about El Clasico, but I will only share my thoughts;

• Messi is on his way to break a couple of records in this match, but let us hope he does not break his leg.
• Ronaldo has proven how great he is and in this encounter he will only prove how handsome he is.
• Tata Martino is doing a good job but he needs a win to regain the trust of the players and the fans.
• Barcelona’s or Real Madrid’s season is far from over. This match is not the end of the world or their season’s. There is a lot to fight for, other than this one game. So do not take it personal.
• Alexis Sanchez is not a football player.
• Neymar is not the favorite by the fans or the colleagues, but Tata can use him as the secret weapon.
• Pepe is one step away from being called to the Wrestling Federation, and he is key for Barcelona’s success (the same goes on Marcelo)
• Modric will hold the key to Real Madrid’s success.
• Do not expect Bale to explode, but in anger.
• The result will affect the season of both.

Aftermath of El Clasico is another El Clasico

Real Madrid crushed Barcelona and thrashed them off the Copa del Rey; winning 3-1 at Camp Nou and 4-2 in aggregate. Real Madrid deserved to win as much as Barcelona deserved the loss.

The next step is having another El Clasico on Saturday, 2 March 2013.

• Real Madrid do not need the win
• Real Madrid will not field the best 11
• Barcelona need the win as a morale boost
• Messi, Xavi, and Cesc should be rested (each for a different reason)
• Villa should start and never replaced
• Only a big win can rescue Barcelona’s season
• If Real Madrid wins then Milan’s game for Barcelona is already a lost bet

I am afraid that Barcelona is taking a step backward towards the dark ages. Winning La Liga title this season doesn’t mean Barcelona is a total failure, but it indicates that this Barcelona will suffer soon.

frustration…

 

El Clasico: Copa del Rey Semi-Final Part 2

El Clasicoooooooooo! Again and again. It is the 5th encounter between Barcelona and Real Madrid and it might be the most crucial one so far (taking into consideration that they might not meet in the Champions League).

The two team will play at Camp Nou for the second leg of Copa del Rey semi-finals stage. The first game ended 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu with both Ronaldo and Messi failing to score. Barcelona need a scoreless draw or any win to qualify, while Real Madrid need any win or a 2-2 draw and more.

Barcelona are on a mediocre run of performances (compared to their real power), and might need a miraculous display from Messi to go through. Organized defence and the inclusion of David Villa may be the two decisive factors if Messi went on unseen.

Mourinho is reportedly approaching the end of his tenure with Madrid and success in the cup would boost his CV but not his stay. He will have most of his squad members at his disposal plus a rejuvenated Kaka.

Real Madrid are almost the favorites for this game but every El Clasico is different and predictions always fail.

You have to expect: Lots of goals – Many cards – Majestic individual moments – Awful refereeing – Touchline antics

If Barcelona are to win the game they should start with the following: Pinto – Alves Pique Puyol Alba – Xavi Busquets Iniesta – Pedro Messi Villa

Else, they can kiss the cup goodbye.

 

One more El Clasico and we might be done for this season

About the First El Clasico in 2013

Contributing to STC Sports (http://en.stc-sports.com), I chose to speak about…. ya, you guessed right, EL CLASICO! It is actually the fourth El Clasico this season and we might end up seeing seven of them or even eight, if both teams clashed in the Champions League before the Final in Wembley. Here it goes:

What Cristiano Ronaldo does, Messi does it better. Over the weekend, Ronaldo scored a hattrick and hours later, Messi scored a super hattrick. The rivalry between both players seems to have reached a new high for the better of the game, hopefully, and just in time before the most watched game in modern footbal, El Clasico.

Quoting Mourinho, when Madrid plays Barcelona, the world stops. And I agree. You do not… <Continue reading by clicking here>

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: They are both the best and way better than the rest at the moment

El Clasico – Messi and Ronaldo Video Commercial

El Clasico is in March 2013, and the build up has already started. Al Jazeera Sport made a slick ad to promote the match; featuring Messi and Ronaldo sending SMS’s to each other. Here is the ad: CLICK HERE or Click the image below to watch it.

Click the image to watch the video

 

El Clasico: La Liga Still Alive?

“When Madrid plays Barcelona, the world stops.” This was finally one statement that I would agree with Mourinho about, to an extent and not fully as he mentioned Real Madrid first. It is El Clasico time, and the third already for the 2012-2013 season. Real Madrid already came out victorious in the first two encounters thanks to the away goals rule in the Super Cup. This time they visit the Camp Nou for a second actual win to close the gap in the league table. Barcelona are leading the ranks with 18 points; 8 points clear of Madrid who sit sixth.

This El Clasico is one of the most important in recent years. It will tell the destiny of the two teams for this season, revealing their readiness and desire to conquer Spain and Europe this year. My thoughts are scattered already, so bear with me while I try to state the statistical blasphemy and the Nostradamus-esque vision.

Messi should show his real skin and man up.

• Real Madrid have 88 wins in all competitions against Barcelona who have 87. This match should tie the score.
• Real Madrid have no injury worries, while Barcelona are missing Puyol and Thiago. A possible cameo for Pique is on the cards.
• Barcelona are losing that trait that entails them to winning the ball back within 6 to 7 seconds. Real Madrid should take advantage of that especially that they apply perfect counter-attacks.
• Ronaldo scored one goal in each of the past five encounters. He has a big chance to continue his scoring streak against a Barcelona that plays with no central backs.
• Messi sits second in the table of all-time top scorers of El Clasico with 15 goals. He has not been at his best recently although he is scoring goals and creating them.
• If Barcelona win, it will be there best league start ever.
• The match will see a lot of goals. A Messi hattrick is a safe bet.
• The Ballon d’Or will be granted to whoever comes victorious and shines in this match specifically; Messi or Ronaldo.
• A red card will be granted. Don’t bet on Pepe though. Mascherano is looking good to earn one.
• David Villa might prove vital. Even if he doesn’t play then we will all know he is leaving Barcelona in January.
• Tito Vilanova is showing his players new ways of moving the ball and scoring goals other than passing it all the time.
• Mourinho is losing control over his players. The rumored bust-ups with Ramos and Ozil may be an indication of the upcoming result.

First El Clasico of 2012-2013: The Spanish Super Cup

Here we go, an early El Clasico encounter and the formal inauguration of the 2012/2013 football season. Most of the European leagues kicked off last week or some days ago, but this game is always special and it will be the first in a long series of brawls, games, fights, or whatever you want to call them.

Barcelona hosts Real Madrid for the Spanish Super Cup first leg in Camp Nou, and the game will kick off at 20:30 GMT (00:30 Dubai Time). Last year, the prize was Barcelona’s to grab and brag, and the highlight of both games was the eye poking incident between Mourinho and Vilanova. The difference this year is that Vilanova has become head coach of Barcelona, and Mourinho has to find a new assistant coach to torture.

Jose Mourinho eye poking Tito Vilanova, while Borat was watching unimpressed.

Here are some thoughts, if they mean anything:

• Alex Song may play his first game with Barcelona; another Arsenal player to start his Barca life in a Super Cup after Fabregas last year.
• Pepe will miss the game to the relief of Barcelona players and disappointment of wrestling fans.
• If Barca wins the cup, it would be the first time in history to see a club winning it four times in a row.
• Mourinho doesn’t need the cup if that means he will win the league, or at least that’s what he said.
• The two teams played their first encounters in the league, while Barcelona won big, Real Madrid suffered to earn a home draw. Preparations of Real Madrid indicate they are not at their best, yet.
• Messi is the all-time scorer of the Super Cup with 8 goals. He already scored 2 official goals this season and this game is a chance to start his mission of breaking the astounding 73 goal tally of last season.
• A probable lineup for both teams would be:

Barcelona: Valdes – Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba – Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta – Alexis, Messi, Pedro
Real Madrid: Casillas – Marcelo, Arbeloa, Ramos, Albiol – Ozil, Coentrao, Alonso, Lass – Ronaldo, Benzema

Only an insane futuristic Nostradamus-eque person can predict the score of such an encounter.

The first El Clasico of the 2012-2013 season, and more to come

Aftermath of El Clasico Number 6: Real Madrid are League Champions 2011/2012

First things first: Congratulations Real Madrid for the first league title since 2008. Moving on, and in theory, Barcelona can still make a comeback only if Real Madrid lost at least 2 games and drew one while Barcelona won all four. In reality, the points’ difference is at 7 with four games to play for both teams. Even Guardiola started his post-match conference stating “First of all, congratulations to Madrid, for the win and the league title they have confirmed today.”

As I mentioned before, in the El Clasico preview, the team that scored first won the game, in a safe game, where Real Madrid took no risks and played with their heads on. Mourinho dominated the game in what could be a rehearsal for his team’s next big game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

I have one big concern, and let’s hope I am wrong about it. First, read through the thoughts and facts and scroll down to condemn or approve my worry.

• Guardiola conceded his first loss in the League against Real Madrid.
• Ronaldo is now the League’s top scorer with 42 goals, while Messi is second with 41.
• 23 goals, 43 yellow cards, 4 red cards, 2 draws, 4 wins in 6 head-to-head games in 2011/2012 have been registered
• Messi did not score in his fourth consecutive El Clasico. (Total Messi Stats vs Real Madrid: 19 games, 10 Wins – 5 Draws – 4 Losses, 13 goals, 10 assists)
• Diving was evident at moments; nothing impressive though.
• Abidal is one reason why Barcelona are fragile at the back. Guardiola should have listened to me earlier and signed a defender or two in the Winter Transfer Market.
• Barcelona have recently lost that one aspect that made them more confident on the pitch: Winning balls back within less than 6-7 seconds of losing them.
• Thiago is still not ready for the big stage; and David Villa is missed.
• Valdes sent an apology to Diego Maradona post his howler (away from the fact that the first goal is an offside candidate).

Well, a seventh El Clasico is still a possibility, and if it happened it will be the most gorgeous and competitive one. Barcelona still has two trophies to win, but the team is tired already and Guardiola should find the cure fast. However, my only concern is XAVI. He was angry at being substituted during the game, and he even showed his frustration while he was at the bench. I do not recall seeing him acting this way and it makes me wonder if it was a sign of discontent against his own performance or against Guardiola’s decision. I hope it was for the former state, and I blame Frank Rijkaard’s karma in both cases.

What???

El Clasico number 6: All In for the League Title

20 goals, 37 yellow cards, 4 red cards, 2 draws, 3 wins in 5 head-to-head matches so far this season. This round, the two teams meet for the sixth time, and they will probably meet again in Europe. This game might actually be the one to give Real Madrid their first league title since 2008, if they managed a win. A draw will keep the points difference at 4 with four games to play afterward, while a win by Barcelona will hold everyone’s breath till the last game.

Since the last time the two teams met, many things happened and both teams have reached the semi-finals stage of the European championship. They both progressed physically and mentally and reached their peak of the season. This time around, Real Madrid may go into the game for a draw while Barcelona might be a little distracted and plunge into a draw too. Why? Because both teams have the Champions League encounters in almost 72 hours, and both teams received a loss away to Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

Here are some facts, notes, and thoughts about El Clasico number 6:

• Real Madrid did not win over Barcelona in the league since Guardiola’s appointment as manager.
• Messi and Ronaldo are tied at 41 league goals.
• Messi did not score in his last three encounters against Real Madrid (Total Messi Stats vs Real Madrid: 18 games, 10 Wins – 5 Draws – 3 Losses, 13 goals, 10 assists).
• Both teams will play safe because the Champions League games are around the corner.
• Ashley Young will attend the game as a judge. He will signal out the best dive of the game. Contenders are: Ronaldo, Busquests, and Di Maria.
• The team that scores first might win the game.
• If Messi scores against Real Madrid, he will equal Cesar Rodriguez’s record of 14 goals in El Clasico. Di Stefano is the all-time scorer of both teams with 18 goals.
•  A last minute brawl will erupt. Cesc Fabregas will be part of it while Alves will kick Pepe behind the referee’s back.
• Expect Tello to dazzle if given the chance to play.
• Higuain will fight Ronaldo for a clear chance. Benzema will have the laugh of his life.

Ronaldo vs Messi: Top Scorer Title or League Title; what is more important? (photo as shown on The Football Supernova page)