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Is El Clasico even the rivalry you think it is?
What if most everything you thought you knew about the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid was wrong?
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
The age-old rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid is the biggest and best-known grudge match in the sport. A battle of good versus evil -- which team being which depending on your perspective, of course -- filled with the world's biggest stars playing on the biggest stages in football. These matches frequently decide who wins La Liga, and play key roles in the Champions League and Copa del Rey every few years, as well.
Suffice to say, El Clasico is a must-watch game whenever it comes up -- but is it the rivalry you've always thought it was? Jessica Lopez, of brand-new site Unusual Efforts, dug into the high-profile battle's history, and what she found may surprise you.
The roles that FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have been given, and their identities in regional, political and even purely footballing terms, are far more paradoxical and complex than one would initially imagine, if one’s only ever heard the generalized notions of what the two teams represent.
This mythological grandeur is never more acutely felt than in the buildup to yet another edition of this fabled football showdown. Which is where we find ourselves now, amidst the sh*tstorm that is El Clásico mass media hype.
Lopez goes on to show how the origins of both clubs and their roles in the history of Spain’s last century aren’t what you probably think they are thanks to their portrayal in the media, particularly in and around the Spanish Civil War. It’s a fascinating piece and worth taking some time to dig into before El Clasico is played on Saturday.
In the news
Real Madrid will be without Raphael Varane in El Clasico, and Toni Kroos was hurt in training, as well, and is in doubt. (MARCA)
Barcelona will wear special shirts with a tribute to Johan Cruyff in El Clasico. (AS)
Nicklas Bendtner was recently barred from Wolfsburg’s training sessions, and the club is now looking to terminate his contract a season early. (Guardian)
Diego Costa’s two-match suspension after his sending off in Chelsea’s FA Cup loss to Everton has been extended to three because of his “improper conduct” in his reaction to the red card. (Telegraph)
The LA Galaxy will be without Robbie Keane for 4-6 weeks after having surgery to correct the knee injury that kept him out of the Republic of Ireland’s last two matches. (ESPN FC)
Aston Villa have suspended striker Gabby Agbonlahor pending the outcome of an internal investigation after he was caught smoking shisha during the international break. (BBC)
You should be reading
Andy West looks at El Clasico, and focuses on how important it is for Zinedine Zidane’s fledgling managerial career. (BBC)
Daniel Harris says that Leicester City should be doing anything but playing things safe right now. (Guardian)
Don Hutchison picks his choice for the “El Clasico XI,” the top players on the pitch for Barcelona and Real Madrid in the history of the illustrious clubs. (ESPN FC)
What to watch on Friday (click for listings, all times ET)
Bundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen vs. VfL Wolfsburg (2:30 p.m.): Both teams have fallen off in the race for a Champions League spot, though neither is completely out of it just yet. If Wolfsburg want to get back into Europe’s elite, though, they need to start racking up wins now.
Ligue 1: AS Monaco vs. Bordeaux (2:30 p.m.): Any tiny flicker of hope Monaco may have foolishly held for winning the title is officially gone, but they can put a stranglehold on second place with a win.
MLS: New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls (7 p.m.): Neither team has enjoyed their starts to the MLS season, potentially making this rivalry match just a little bit more highly charged than normal as both sides try to work out some frustration.
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