El Clasico: A spectacle to behold!

It’s El Clasico once again. Arguably, the biggest fixture in the world of football. Two of the richest, most successful and influential football clubs will clash horns. Well, this time the titans are determined to lift the Spanish Super Cup. This fixture over the years has evolved into not just the most anticipated match but it has also been able to garner attention beyond footballing horizons. It’s called El Clasico for a reason. It’s beyond greatness.

The teams under discussion have heavily influenced modern day football. Real Madrid embarks on the ‘Galacticos’ policy and attracts high quality players with big pay-cheques, on the other hand FC Barcelona produces world class players – thanks to La Masia. While one plays with ultimate trigger and aggresssion, the other poses a huge threats at a snail’s pace.

The biggest rivalry of the game dates back to history when the spectacle was highly influenced by politics. Under Francisco Franco dictatorship, Real Madrid enjoyed greater share of success. Madrid, being the capital, had made the others their slaves. But as they say, every force has an equivalent force acting towards the opposite direction. Catalonia opposed the Madrid rule. Soon, when strength came in the form of FC Barcelona, a civil war occured, but this time in the football field. As the whole of Catalonia sings, “mes que un club” It’s definitely more than just a club. FC Barcelona is a symbol of Catalan pride and identity.

Barring the teams, players have individual thresholds. Messi and Ronaldo will yet again see each other, try and play every mighty card in their pack to win the game for their respective teams and prove their worth at the highest arena of football. ‘Class’ is an entity which both these players carry on their backs. And with so many other great footballers in the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Casillas, Ozil and the rest, it definitely makes for a mouth-watering clash.

Throughout the years, both teams have displayed excellent and high quality football. For the sake of it, take Barcelona’s dream team in the 1991-92 season or Real Madrid’s Galacticos in the 2000′s; the baton of pride have been passed on from one to another. It’s more than just a game. It’s about the pride of the province, it’s about fans’ happiness, it’s dominance, it’s everything.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, having lifted the La Liga trophy with Madrid, will see this encounter as a ‘special one.’ The highly successful Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola’s departure has made way for Tito Vilanova to take charge of the main team. He will keep tiki-taka alive. Vilanova will look for a positive result for the Catalan giants, and if his team manages to successfully tame Los Blancos, then he will garner great respect from the Nou Camp faithful.

El Clasico is a rivalry to the most extreme level. Firing stones at the players, sparking fire in the stadium, throwing a pig’s face on Figo(joined Madrid from Barca) and a nation-wide strike is all part of this one game. Quoting Phil Ball,“ El Classico is a re-enactment of the civil war”.

Being the only two teams not to be relegated in La Liga history along with Athletico Bilbao, each have tried to prove its dominance in Spain. 22 of the best players of the game will take charge in the green turf tonight in Camp Nou for the most epic match, to be viewed by millions around the world. This being the first of the fixtures for the season, a lot of changes is on the cards. Who will get ahead and clinch the Spanish Super Cup? Only time will tell.