Real Madrid - Barcelona (Pre-Match)

This is it. The build-up to this game could not have gotten anymore exciting as the world now prepares for the biggest game in club football. The two giants of Spain will meet at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night for a game that promises to be even more exciting than anyone can imagine. Real Madrid VS Barcelona. El Clasico.

Ever since Josep Guardiola has taken charge at Barcelona, he has made them a team that many have called the “Best Team in history” and who can argue with that? They have won everything that they possibly can and always seem hungry for more. Guardiola has taken Barcelona to a new level that all the teams wanted to be in but just simply weren’t able to

Since Guardiola was coach, Real Madrid had problems of their own. The main problem was finding the right coach. They went through many coaches such as Fabio Capello, Bernd Schuster, and Manuel Pellegrini but nothing really seemed to work until the “Special One” arrived.

Jose Mourinho arrived to Madrid in 2010 and has shown that he’s the right person to drive Real Madrid forward. During his first season, he won the Spanish Cup after defeating Barcelona 1-0 in the final with a great header by Cristiano Ronaldo. But it wasn’t all perfect. During the first meeting with the Catalans, many Madristas had a feeling that things were going to change and that the men in White would be able to finally beat Guardiola’s men. Instead, it ended with a shocking 5-0 win for Barcelona and a very lackluster performance from Real Madrid. No one knew what to expect after that…

Real Madrid and Barcelona met 5 times during that season. Two games in the league, two games in the Champions League Quarter Finals, and one in the Copa Del Rey Final. Real Madrid were only able to win one of the games while Barcelona won two.

Real Madrid VS Barcelona (2010-2011)

LA LIGA –

Barcelona 5 (Xavi, Pedro, David Villa [2], Jeffren) – Real Madrid 0

Real Madrid 1 (Cristiano Ronaldo) – Barcelona 1 (Leonel Messi)

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE –

Real Madrid 0 – Barcelona 2 (Leonel Messi [2])

Barcelona 1 (Pedro) – Real Madrid 1 (Marcelo)

COPA DEL REY –

Real Madrid 1 (Cristiano Ronaldo) – Barcelona 0

Judging by the scores, it doesn’t look too good for Los Meregues but some positives can be taken from it all. Putting aside the 5-0 loss, which was during the first few months that Mourinho was in charge, Real Madrid were slowly catching up with Barcelona. In my opinion, the Champions League games were supposed to be for Madrid but due to some unbelievable refereeing decisions, the game ended up going to the Catalans.

When looking back at all the games played against Barcelona during that season, it is very clear that refereeing has made a difference. Was it decisive? Pepe was having a great game before getting sent off for Dani Alves’ dive. Gonzalo Higuain scored an important goal, which was somehow a foul after Ronaldo fell in Mascherano’s way. Sergio Basquets and Pedro’s diving and name-calling went unseen as Barcelona went through another successful season. If all of the above (and more) were called fairly, would Real Madrid end up winning? We cant really say for sure but it seems very likely.

After that season, Real Madrid met with Barcelona yet again in a two-legged tie before the 2011-2012 season began. It was the Spanish Supercup, which Barcelona won in the last possible minute.

-Real Madrid 2 (Mesut Ozil, Xabi Alonso) – Barcelona 2 (David Villa, Leonel Messi)

-Barcelona 3 (Andres Iniesta, Leonel Messi [2]) – Real Madrid 2 (Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema)

Now, it’s time for the two to meet again and as Real Madrid are now three points ahead (with a game in hand), who know what to expect? It’s going to be a huge game for sure with a lot of controversy and even more excitement. Will Real Madrid be 6 points ahead after the game? Or will Barcelona keep up with Madrid as much as they possibly can?

Real Madrid VS Barcelona. Saturday 9:00 PM [GMT]