6 things that always happen in El Clasico

Spain’s marquee clash is upon us yet again. Real Madrid meeting Barcelona is never short on interesting subplots, be it historical context, the Catalan demand for independence, Luis Figo’s transfer or simply the clash between modern greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.It’s always one of the most anticipated fixtures every season and this time there’s the added incentive for both sides as they’re only separated by 3 points. Luis Enrique’s side currently sit pretty on top of the table but could either go six points clear at the end of Saturday or second if they lose. Of course, they could draw and the gap would remain the same.With the players having met each other numerous times in this derby, not to forget that most of them are teammates for the Spanish national team, this article profiles some of the interesting events which are taken for granted to occur in each El Clasico.

#1 Sergio Ramos draws a booking

Without doubt, Sergio Ramos is among the world’s most combative defenders, never shirking a challenge and always rising to the big occasion. Thus, it is natural that the Spaniard would have a stormy record against Barcelona.

In 21 starts against Barcelona since 2007-08, Ramos has drawn an eye-popping twelve bookings, in addition to one straight red card and one double-booking leading to a sending off. Though the Clasico is always noted for its volume of disciplinary action, even Pepe is left behind by Ramos in this regard, with 9 bookings in the same period, even though the Portuguese is more widely maligned for his disciplinary record.

Add to that Ramos’ vocal opposition to the cause of Catalan independence, and it is a wonder how he manages to partner Gerard Pique, himself no less a character, for Spain game in and game out.

With tensions running high, Lionel Messi doubtful for the game and the fighting Luis Suarez upfront, expect Ramos to be more of his usual self on November 21.

#2 Penalties

For all their class as football teams and the technically gifted players at their disposal, the El Clasico is not the football festival of everyone’s dreams. The emotions running high eventually overpowers the football, making the game more intriguing in interpretation than in the sheer quality it promises (and occasionally delivers).

With two passionate factions of fans baying for each other’s blood, the pressure on referees is extremely high, and is well exploited by players in 50-50 situations, a phenomenon which has led to a disproportionate number of penalties awarded in these games.

In seventeen league meetings since 2007, a total of nine goals in El Clasicos have come from the penalty spot, making it approximately a converted penalty every two games. The most famous instance was the Clasico on 16 April 2011, with both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a penalty a piece in a 1-1 draw.

With Cristiano Ronaldo in inconsistent form leading up to the clash, he’d be eagerly awaiting the prospect of a penalty or two to get his campaign back on track, while Messi would hope to mark his return from injury with a goal against their bitter rivals.

#3 Catalans booing the Spanish national anthem

The unrest in Spain over the demands of Basque and Catalan independence are well known largely because of their respective football clubs (Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol and Barcelona) espousing this cause. For decades, neither side has shied away from voicing this discontent in sporting echelons, and both were fined as recently as May for booing the Spanish national anthem when they squared off for the Copa del Rey final.

Against Real Madrid, which benefitted from Generalissimo Franco’s regime, this odd ritual has an even stronger significance, with the whistles reaching unprecedented levels whenever a Clasico is played at the Camp Nou. Indeed, the Barcelona faction makes its presence felt even at away games, so much so that even EA Sports included pro-Catalonia fan chants in the gameplay of FIFA 15 for the demo.

What makes this particular Clasico interesting is that Catalan independence has never seemed more likely, making the probable reaction in this game extremely interesting to watch.

#4 Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo score

The news of Lionel Messi having returned to training and possibly playing the Clasico (even if off the bench) has sent waves of enthusiasm in the Catalan camp for reasons beyond his status or clash with Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Argentine has been the all-time top scorer in the clash, with 21 goals in 30 games across all competitions, including a hattrick at the tender age of 19. From defensive rocks like Fabio Cannavaro, to rising stars like Raphael Varane, Messi troubles them all. If he makes it back onto the pitch at the Bernabeu, all bets are off on him scoring against the Catalan club’s famed rivals.

His supposed arch-enemy isn’t far behind having registered 15 goals in El Clasico so far, he will be hungry to bridge the gap between him and Messi, this clash at the Bernabeu presents an opportunity for Ronaldo to cole a personal gap while helping out his team.

#5 Defenders scoring

For all its offensive might, the Clasico is often an opportunity for the unsung heroes to take centre stage and decide the games, with an increasing number of decisive goals being scored by defenders.

With the might of the teams counterbalancing each other in open play, set pieces often prove decisive, with the likes of Pepe, Jeremy Mathieu and Raphael Varane getting on the score sheet in recent Clasicos. The marauding runs of Dani Alves, Jordi Alba and Marcelo also contribute.

With no starting defender likely to miss this clash to injury, it'll be interesting to see who takes the honours for his side this Saturday.

Defenders have been on the scoresheet in 6 out of 8 most recent El Clasicos

Date	Score	Goalscorers (Only defenders)
22 March, 2015	Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid	Jeremy Mathieu
25 October, 2014	Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona	Pepe
16 April, 2014	Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona	Marc Bartra
23 March, 2014	Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona	None
26 October, 2013	Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid	None
2 March, 2013	Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona	Sergio Ramos
26 February, 2013	Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid	Jordi Alba, Rafael Varane
30 January, 2013	Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona	Rafael Varane

#6 Playacting

Football is the beautiful game, but players are hardly gentlemen on the pitch, especially when the rivalry is as intense as the one between Real Madrid and Barcelona. While there are tackles flying in and aggression is out on display for all to see, playacting to get the others in trouble has also grown into the clash.

The most recent incident was when Javier Mascherano caught Cristiano Ronaldo with a high tackle then himself went to ground hoping he could get away with it. Not the prettiest sight, but a common one in Clasicos.

The Argentine defensive midfielder is by no means the only one who resorts to such gamesmanship. Sergio Busquets, Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo have also been pulled up for their playacting, but it seems to have been now stitched into the DNA of the clash.