El Clásico Preview: Real Madrid - FC Barcelona
Real Madrid regained their confidence while FC Barcelona suffered in midweek, but will either result really have any bearing when these two teams meet in the monumental meeting on Sunday?
All eyes in Spain this weekend are firmly fixed on what Gheorghe Hagi has described as "the biggest match in the world": The Clasico.
In this fixture last year, Ronaldinho was applauded off the field by the Bernabeu crowd, scoring two spectacular goals and delivering a performance to savour.
It was the first time since a young Diego Maradona ran rings around the Real Madrid back line in 1983 that the Madrid crowd had given a standing ovation to any Barcelona player, such is the deep-running rivalry between the two clubs.
This year, the smiling Brazilian's form has been strangely inconsistent. Just when it looked like he was back to his best, starring in Barcelona's 3-1 home victory over a high-quality Sevilla side, he vanished again in the azulgrana's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek.
But the 25-year-old on Friday insisted he was still the same player that had led his side to domestic and European glory last season.
"I haven't changed one bit," he said. "People are looking for something, but all this talk doesn't annoy me, because I'll continue being the same person.
"Against Sevilla I scored two goals, and people said I played very well. Then three days later, we lost in London and everybody said I was in poor form. We [Barcelona] have to show how good we are in every game, and we have a good opportunity to do that now," he commented.
The injury to Samuel Eto'o has deprived Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard of his first choice striker for five months, and Real Madrid captain Raul has identified this as a "crucial" loss ahead of Sunday's clash.
"He's a great player and it's a shame that he has injured himself. His goals and his movement have been very important," Raul added.
Real were hit on Friday afternoon by the news that striker Ronaldo will miss the game through suspension, after the Spanish FA refused to overturn the red card he received in last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Getafe.
But midfielders David Beckham and Guti should both be available after recovering from knee injuries, along with wingers Robinho and Jose Antonio Reyes. The latter two will compete for a space on the left wing, while Ruud van Nistelrooy will lead the attack.
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol should recover from muscle pains in time to take his place alongside Rafael Marquez in the centre of defence, while Frank Rijkaard must decide whether to recall midfielder Andres Iniesta after leaving him out in favour of Xavi in midweek.
By:Eurosports.com
In this fixture last year, Ronaldinho was applauded off the field by the Bernabeu crowd, scoring two spectacular goals and delivering a performance to savour.
It was the first time since a young Diego Maradona ran rings around the Real Madrid back line in 1983 that the Madrid crowd had given a standing ovation to any Barcelona player, such is the deep-running rivalry between the two clubs.
This year, the smiling Brazilian's form has been strangely inconsistent. Just when it looked like he was back to his best, starring in Barcelona's 3-1 home victory over a high-quality Sevilla side, he vanished again in the azulgrana's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek.
But the 25-year-old on Friday insisted he was still the same player that had led his side to domestic and European glory last season.
"I haven't changed one bit," he said. "People are looking for something, but all this talk doesn't annoy me, because I'll continue being the same person.
"Against Sevilla I scored two goals, and people said I played very well. Then three days later, we lost in London and everybody said I was in poor form. We [Barcelona] have to show how good we are in every game, and we have a good opportunity to do that now," he commented.
The injury to Samuel Eto'o has deprived Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard of his first choice striker for five months, and Real Madrid captain Raul has identified this as a "crucial" loss ahead of Sunday's clash.
"He's a great player and it's a shame that he has injured himself. His goals and his movement have been very important," Raul added.
Real were hit on Friday afternoon by the news that striker Ronaldo will miss the game through suspension, after the Spanish FA refused to overturn the red card he received in last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Getafe.
But midfielders David Beckham and Guti should both be available after recovering from knee injuries, along with wingers Robinho and Jose Antonio Reyes. The latter two will compete for a space on the left wing, while Ruud van Nistelrooy will lead the attack.
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol should recover from muscle pains in time to take his place alongside Rafael Marquez in the centre of defence, while Frank Rijkaard must decide whether to recall midfielder Andres Iniesta after leaving him out in favour of Xavi in midweek.
By:Eurosports.com
posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 1:52 AM
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