Match Preview: Saturday 10/03/2007 22:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 26
FC BARCELONA - REAL MADRID

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 99.000
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Belletti (Oleguer), Thuram, Puyol, Sylvinho - Marquez (Edmilson), Xavi, Iniesta - Messi, Eto´o , Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Real Madrid (4-4-2): Casillas - Torres, Sergio Ramos, Helguera, Raul Bravo - Gago, Emerson, Guti, Robinho - Raul, Van Nistelrooy - Manager: Fabio Capello


Match Preview:

The El Clasico clash between FC Barcelona (2nd position/49 points) and Real Madrid (4th position/44 points) is the talk of Spain and indeed all Spain comes to a stand still when these two arch rivals play each other. It is the world´s biggest footballing event and again should break several records.


Both, Barca and Real want to put the Champions League misery behind.
The pressure definetely will be on Real Madrid, especially on Merengue coach Fabio Capello, who will be sacked if his team will loose against the arch-rivals from Catalunya. A defeat would put them 8 points behind and after their exit from the UEFA Champions League and the Spanish Cup, the season would be over and another year will end with no silverware to be added to their trophy room. For any Barca fan just a splendid scenario!


Should Real Madrid loose at Camp Nou, Capello would be replaced by former Merengue player Michel, who is fighting for relegation with Real Madrid´s B team, uintil the end of the season. Former Barca, Real and Atletico star Bernd Schuster seems to be the favourite to take over the Merengues for the next seson.


FC Barcelona´s "El Magico" Ronaldinho is struggling from a muscle strain and did not train on Thursday. He was included into the squad list and should be fit to start on the left but his availability will be decided just minutes before the match. Cameroon lion Samuel Eto'o will return as center forward. Argentinan wonderboy Lionel Messi will definetely start on the right, due to the suspension of Ludovic Giuly.

Rafa Marquez is tipped to continue in the holding role in midfield. The Mexican will play his 100th La Liga appearance for the Blaugrana since joining from Monaco in 2003. Deco and Xavi (or Iniesta) will be in the engine room to run the Barca midfield.
Lilian Thuram and captain Carles Puyol will be paired in central defence, while Belletti and Sylvinho could start as full backs.

Italian full-back Gianluca Zambrotta and French winger Ludovic Giuly miss the match due to suspension after both being sent off against Sevilla. Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Thiago Motta were left out of the squad.


Meanwhile, Real coach Capello is trying to find some excuses, claiming that his side is facing an injury crisis. He believes his team virtually picks itself.


Merengue captain Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy are to start in attack. Combative midfielders, Argentine Fernando Gago alongside Brazilian Emerson, will play in more defensive roles in the midfield, while Guti and Robinho, should be in the more offensive department.
Ivan Helguera is likely to partner Sergio Ramos in central defence. Miguel Torres and Raul Bravo look to start as full-backs.


FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will probably change from his 3-4-3 formation in favour of the 4-3-3, which means that one of the 3 midfielders Deco, Xavi and Iniesta have to start on the bench.


Real will swap to a simple 4-4-2 and defense orientated Capello might start with 2 man in attack, knowing that he needs a result for not being sacked.


My Prediction:

At present, four teams are fighting for the title: Sevilla, Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid with 13 more matches to play. If real Madrid will still be in contention after this weekend will be decided on Saturday. A defeat at the Camp Nou would see them drop 9 points behind leaders Sevilla and 8 points behind Barca.


Barca has the chance to make up a bit for the early exit from the European Cup. They will not disappoint their faithful fans in their own stadium and can prove at the same time that the dressing room is fully in order.


I suppose the team will be fully motivated to sent Real in even more trouble for the rest of the season. For Real and Capello this "Derby" will be a final and I am sure they blow it completely!


Barca will not only win, they will even cancel out the goal advantage from the first match at Bernabeu.


FC Barcelona - Real Madrid 3:0


Visca el Barca! Visca Catalunya