Barcelona equalled a 16-year-old record on Monday, matching their biggest win in the history of El Clasico. David Villa had two goals and an assist while Lionel Messi, leading Barcelona through a decisive start to the second half, had two assists of his own.
El Clasico, Barcelona Vs. Real Madrid: Sergio Ramos Completes Madrid Disgrace, Earns Red Card
Earlier today we had speculated Real Madrid was destined for a red card. Half way through the second half, when it became apparent Real Madrid was not coming back, the cheep fouls started to pile up, and players like Sergio Ramos, Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso were seen inflicting message-sending tackles on their counterparts.
That red card finally came in stoppage time, and as if playing to script written years ago, it was Ramos that volunteered to go. Of all the players who dressed today for Pep Guardiola, he’s the one you would have circled at the beginning of the match were you asked to fine the Merengue most likely to be sent of. “It’s either him or Pepe,” you would have reasoned, “and unless somebody from Barcelona picks a fight with Pepe, Ramos is going.”
Read Article >El Clasico, Barcelona Vs. Real Madrid: Gonzalo Higuain Out, Karim Benzema In Madrid’s Starting LIneup
As we mentioned in the update Barcelona’s starting XI, Gonzalo Higuain is set to miss El Clasico after failing a late fitness test. Real Madrid will start Karim Benzema in his place, though aside from that, José Mourinho’s lineup is as expected:
This will deploy as a more 4-2-1-3 version of the current formacion du jour, with the hope being that whomever is on Dani Alves’s side will help to pin the advancing Barcelona wing back. If you want an early indication of how this match might turn, look and see how Barcelona’s back line adjusts to this. Will they persist in playing Alves in an advanced position when in possession, or will Alves be restrained?
Read Article >
