El Clásico: A club rivalry like no other in the world

Alfredo Di Stefano’s first El Clásico, which was clouded by controversies of his transfer to Spanish football as very few people were aware as to which club had signed him, Real Madrid reportedly paid Barcelona four million as Di Stefano allegedly had signed with the Catalans from his former club river plate. Amidst a controversial El Clásico debut which Real Madrid won 5-0, Di Stefano scored four goals.

Tempers always flare!

Controversies struck back yet again with signing of Johan Cruyff. Real Madrid and Barcelona were again mingled up in disputes over the signing of Cruyff, however this time round the Catalans made sure that Johan Cruyff was a member of the Barcelona squad. He set up three and scored one goal as Barcelona recorded a 5-0 win in the 1973/74 season against their arch rivals and subsequently, secured their first La Liga title since 1960.

The Johan Cruyff led “dream team” also destroyed Real Madrid in the 1993/94 season. The El Clásico match finished 5-0 with the Brazilian footballing star Romario scoring a sensational hat trick. Albeit Romario stole the show and made headlines in that El Clásico, it was Pep Guardiola’s midfield craftsmanship which resulted of the glorious win.

Pep Guardiola later went on to become one of the most successful managers of FC Barcelona. Real Madrid was not far behind and did retaliate with a 5-0 win in the following El Clásico played next season, with the signing of Michael Laudrup to Real Madrid from Barcelona.

The infamous “Derbi de la Verguenza” or the derby of shame, which centered around Luis Figo, who controversially “betrayed” Barcelona by leaving the club and signing for Real Madrid. The 2002 El Clásico match at Camp Nou ended in a 0-0 tie but was one of the most provocative and remembered El Clásico’s of all times.

Luis Figo, reportedly had a number of objects hurled at him at Camp Nou, including the head of a suckling pig and a full bottle of whiskey, while preparing for a corner kick. Roberto Carlos led the Real Madrid team off the field in protest of such an incident against the Portuguese international. Banners of “we hate you coz we loved you” were displayed throughout and boos and whistles were heard as and when Figo had a touch on the ball.

Barcelona player Ronaldinho became only the second player to have received a standing ovation from the crowd at Bernabeu, Real Madrid’s home stadium. Although Samuel Eto’o provided the lead to Barcelona in the first 45 minutes of the 2005 El Clásico, the Brazilian sensation Ronaldinho mesmerized the crowd with his amazing dribbling skills and talent.

Another famous but embarrassing event was the Copa Del Rey incident of Sergio Ramos dropping the trophy in a post-match celebration. It was José Mourinho’s first season as the Real Madrid coach in the Copa Del Rey Final of 2011 which saw a very tense atmosphere as the teams were goal less post ninety minutes of playing , Real Madrid clinched victory by virtue of an extra time goal by the sensational Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 2011 Champions League semi-final intensified the rivalry with Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho taking center stage. A couple of brilliant goals from goal machine Lionel Messi at Bernabeu provided the Catalans with the away goal advantage.

In the return leg at Camp Nou, Pedro Rodriguez goal gave the lead to Barcelona yet again but Marcelo did score an equalizer. Barcelona eventually went on to win the match enroute to beating Manchester United at the 2011 Champions League final thereby being crowned as the Champions League winners.

With the advent of a new season and the appointment of new managers the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona is set to take new heights. Will the attacking duo of Messi-Neymar tear apart the Madrid defense or will the strong midfield of Real Madrid comprising of Ronaldo and Di Maria steal the show for Madrid is yet to be seen.

So, Carlo Ancelotti and Gerardo Martino… We hope you are listening! After all El Clásico is not just another football match.