This archive report was first published on 17 December 2019.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: A Clash of Titans and Ideologies ¶
Published on December 17, 2019
Barcelona is set to host Real Madrid in a highly anticipated match at the Camp Nou, with over 90,000 seats expected to be filled. The match is not just about football, but also about the independence movement in Catalonia, with the protesters swarming the streets daily, looking for their political rights and independence.
The centralistic government of Madrid is firmly against these measures, having imprisoned 13 separatist Catalan politicians. This has caused riots in Barcelona, resulting in the rescheduling of El Clasico from October 26 to December 18, among other things.
Barcelona is the best symbol of Catalan independence, and a win would bring much more than just three points on Wednesday. Lionel Messi and his teammates carry not just the club, but the whole ideology on their backs in El Clasico.
Barcelona has been on a roll since the return of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, with Messi scoring 12 league goals and providing six assists already. Antoine Griezmann is blending in with the team better and better, but his efficiency hasn't suffered from the adaptation phase, scoring six goals to date.
However, the midfield is where the real trouble begins for Valverde. Frenkie de Jong is consistent in his performances, but everyone else in the midfield is expendable. Arthur is struggling with issues unrelated to the pitch, and the Brazilian suffered an injury recently that will see him definitely miss El Clasico.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, has been a completely different team since the season started. Zinedine Zidane tightened things up at the back, focusing on not conceding first, relying on the individual talent upfront. This paid off dividends, with Real Madrid now tied at the top with Barca, having lost just a single match this season.
The crucial part of the team - at least defensively - is Casemiro. Ever since he returned from his vacation, it's a completely different team. In the meantime, Zidane discovered Federico Valverde who is now a key player in the squad.
How to stop Messi? The probable idea will be to smother the midfield with Casemiro, Kroos, and Valverde taking away the central zones. This will require the wingers to pull back in the middle, perhaps losing out the attacking threat, but providing more solidity in the back.
Don't expect Zidane's side to have possession - they'll let Barcelona take it, looking to strike through combining Vinicius and Benzema on the left, with Mendy overlapping when the opportunity arises.
The clash of the titans at its best, and now the clash of ideologies, too. A huge match is ahead of us, with Barcelona the firm favorite to keep the three points in the Camp Nou as they have all important factors on their side.
