Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 3: Pressure builds on Zinedine Zidane as Barca extend La Liga lead to 14 points
L Clásico began with Real capital of Spain gloat of their silverware-stuffed year however it all over with urban center athletics fourteen points further from the ecu and La Liga champions and with Lionel Messi prod the Santiago Bernabeu whereas the three hundred visiting fans musical “campeones”.
Messi has delivered several outstanding displays on enemy territory, though this wasn't one amongst them. Instead, his extremely purposeful urban center facet weekday and waited for capital of Spain to give so strode in to require advantage, swing the notable bowl into a surprised silence within the piercing early afternoon winter sunshine.
Madrid had begun the sport therefore well and came nearest to marking initial however were unzipped within the half and reduced to a tousled mess.
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Ivan Rakitić might hardly believe his luck as he strolled through Associate in Nursing empty eye towards the box and contend in Sergi Roberto UN agency successively allowed Luis Suárez to fireside past the helpless Keylor Navas ten minutes when the interval.
Chaos reigned once more for Barça’s second goal, that Messi scored from the penalty spot when Dani Carvajal was sent off for urgently attempting to dam Paulinho’s header as his fellow defenders had been run ragged by another sweeping Barca break.
Dani Carvajal
Dani Carvajal was shown a straight red for his handball on the road Credit: reuters
Zinedine Zidane had begun with a surprise holding eye try of Casemiro and Mateo Kovacic however once he determined to throw caution to the wind by transportation on Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale, it absolutely was already too late.
There was Associate in Nursing air of certainty concerning Aleix Vidal’s injury time strike, that came a second when the Catalan defender came off the bench, that inflicted the heaviest defeat on Real in exactly below 2 years of Zinedine Zidane’s trophy-laden tenure.
“I grasp tomorrow i'm aiming to be killed for this,” aforesaid the French person, his usual beaming smile replaced by a set, sullen expression.
“I’m here to create selections and that i haven't any regrets. the sport would are totally different if we’d scored within the half. We didn’t, and that’s soccer.”
This was Real’s heaviest defeat to Barca since they were thrashed 4-0 here whereas Rafael Benitez was manager however in contrast to then there have been no cries for a revolution from the Bernabeu trustworthy. Instead, they solely sullenly accepted their defeat.
“We didn’t even play that badly, that is why this hurts such a lot,” more Zidane.
“I can’t be pleased with however we tend to lost however I still am with my players, what they’ve done yet is good, however nowadays we tend to square measure blasted.”
Zinedine Zidane
Zidane is feeling the pressure Credit: alpha fetoprotein
Barca coach Ernesto Valverde talked before the sport of a need to revenge the great 5-1 mixture defeat to capital of Spain within the Spanish Super Cup back in August, when that some directly began to question his quality for the task of revitalising Associate in Nursing ageing team.
The man UN agency encompasses a name for being a gradual try of hands could be a terribly totally different figure to his fiery predecessors Luis Enrique and liveliness Guardiola however has established an especially effective coach, and his game arrange, but unexciting, paid off here.
“In a game as physical as this you notice a distinction because the game gets older and within the half we tend to might break additional freedom,” he said.
“I don’t assume capital of Spain allow us to through, we tend to simply knew the way to manage the sport higher. This game could be a lesson for everyone: in soccer things will modification terribly quickly.”
As the Bernabéu empty, Barca’s fans, tucked up within the high tier of the bowl, musical “Visca Barça, visca Catalunya”, packing an additional political punch into their victims.
This was the primary meeting between Madrid|Spanish capital|national capital} and Barça since the prohibited Gregorian calendar month vote on Catalan independence that engulfed Spain during a political crisis, and it came hot on the heels of Thursday’s snap regional elections, within which pro-independence parties won a majority.
Spanish La Liga
Team P W D L GD Pts
1 Barcelona 17 14 3 0 38 45
2 Atlético American state Madrid 17 10 6 1 17 36
3 Valencia CF 17 10 4 3 19 34
4 Real Madrid 16 9 4 3 16 31
5 Sevilla 17 9 2 6 -2 29
6 Villarreal 17 8 3 6 4 27
7 Eibar 17 7 3 7 -7 24
8 Getafe 17 6 5 6 6 23
9 Real Sociedad 17 6 5 6 2 23
10 Girona 17 6 5 6 -5 23
11 Celta American state Vigo 17 6 3 8 5 21
12 Athletic Club 17 5 6 6 -1 21
13 Leganés 16 6 3 7 -2 21
14 Real Betis 17 6 3 8 -6 21
15 Espanyol 17 5 5 7 -7 20
16 Levante 17 3 9 5 -7 18
17 Alavés 17 5 0 12 -12 15
18 Deportivo American state La Coruña 17 4 3 10 -15 15
19 Málaga 17 3 2 12 -18 11
20 Las Palmas 17 3 2 12 -25 11
Barca have vast numbers of supporters in favour of indepedence for territorial dominion however club allegiances don't invariably dictate political ones: Inés Arrimadas, the rising star of the stanchly pro-Spanish unity party Ciudadanos (Citizens), that won the foremost votes within the election, could be a vast urban center fan.
The more tension can be felt within the home fans’ angry cries once a call went Barça’s approach or whenever agitator-in-chief Gerard Piqué touched the ball, though the absence of an oversized away following and also the lunch period set out meant the political heat seldom reached boiling purpose, aside once Messi stood alone, arms aloft before of the baying capital of Spain fans many moments when he had beat within the second goal from the spot.
Before the lunch period set out, new for a Clásico, Real's fans displayed an enormous banner showing the 5 trophies their team had won in 2017 along side the words “White Christmas”.
The game wasn't 2 minutes recent once Cristiano Ronaldo headed a corner in off the bar however the first triumphant cries were cut by the offsides flag.
Ronaldo blushed with embarrassment once he did not connect with an easy depart this world the sting of the world however later forced Marc-André ter Stegen also away a coffee shot that was destined for the lowest corner.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi created no mistake from the penalty spot Credit: getty pictures
Barca’s danger man before the interval was the unlikely figure of Paulinho, UN agency doubly forced Keylor Navas to tip goalbound shots away for a corner. Down the opposite finish another often-mocked player, Karim Benzema, came nearest to breaking the standstill, heading Marcelo’s cross against the post.
The half secure abundant for Real, however they inexplicably fell apart. therefore too did their slim hopes of holding a title that appearance virtually absolute to be heading back to territorial dominion.
Madrid square measure languishing in fourth, fourteen points off the runaway leaders and additionally below Valencia and Atletico capital of Spain, UN agency square measure 9 points back from Barca.
Asked if the title race was finished as a contest, goalscorer Suárez mammary gland the knife any into capital of Spain.
“It’s not over however,” he said. “Atletico and Valencia can keep pushing United States of America.”
1:53PM
FULL TIME
That's it! urban center square measure due winners here and Real capital of Spain square measure most likely out of the title race. The pressure can build upon Zidane, as off-the-wall as that sounds considering what number trophies he is won, however urban center currently have a 9 purpose lead at the highest and appearance sensible. they are not even at full strength either. Andres Iniesta and Leo Messi were excellent.
1:51PM
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL!
Aleix Vidal has committed the sport and doubtless the league for urban center.
Real capital of Spain zero - three urban center (Vidal ninety +3')
It's all concerning Messi. arguable scenes because it seems the ball has gone out of play... however Messi plays on and fully bins Marcelo, gets to the by;line and cuts back to the sting of the box. Vidal is there and hits a coffee shot at goal that Navas saves, however the ball rolls into his goal when.
1:49PM
90 mins +2
Suarez and Messi have the possibility to attain a 3rd here, with Real sitting back trying vulnerable. Messi waits for Andre Gomes, on for Paulinho, to overlap, finds him with an incredible pass and Gomes, as ever, rushes his likelihood and boots it over. it's not found out for that man at urban center in the least.
Real capital of Spain
Credit: REUTERS
1:47PM
90 minutes - RMA zero - two BAR
Busquets is reserved for kicking Marcelo, which implies he misses succeeding game through suspension. this is often the last match before a winter break. sensible thinking.
1:45PM
88 minutes - RMA zero - two BAR
Barca taking part in down the clock currently however Roberto is that the one trying to create things happen. He unveil the pitch and Messi takes the locomote, winning a corner when a fast dribble into the box.
A corner is headed away, Messi waits for it to drop out of the sky and from twenty five yards hits a primary time volley that forces Navas to scurry across his line and dive to save lots of.
1:41PM
85 minutes - RMA zero - two BAR
WHAT A SAVE! Real capital of Spain square measure inflicting such a lot of issues round the urban center box currently and Asensio's sensible decide of Ramos within the space offers the defender the possibility to shoot at goall. He gets power behind the hassle however Ter Stegen is adequate to it.
Rakitic blocks a cross and also the crowd charm for handball, the corner comes in, Ronaldo shoots low and Ramos slides in, stretching... however cannot flip the ball goalwards.
1:39PM
82 minutes - RMA zero - two BAR
Great link play within the final third permits Semedo through on goal into the box however he shoots wide of the so much post.
Bale ought to have buried that likelihood from earlier.
Barcelona attempting to slow things down once more... till Roberto spins and takes them forward.
1:37PM
80 minutes - RMA zero - two BAR
Vermaelen reads Associate in Nursing Asensio cross from wide left as Semedo is caught ball look and it is a corner. Marcelo takes it short, Real work the passes round the space and suddenly Bale is ready up! HE should SCORE! Saved! Barca scramble it away. Real have all the momentum. Bale cuts within and shoots from distance... Ter Stegen spills and Marcelo is following up! The goalkeeper recovers in time to smother the ball.
1:34PM
77 minutes - RMA zero - two BAR
Barcelona goal Messi penalty
Credit: REUTERS
Barca simply passing with patience around their own [*fr1], killing the sport at walking pace. Or they're till Paulinho's initial bit offers possession away. so Busquets nearly lets Kroos in on goal.
Messi is penalized for a foul as Varane falls off balance once clearing the ball. Some referee selections square measure on the far side strange.
Iniesta, UN agency is maybe Man of the Match, comes off for Semedo. which will enable Roberto any forward to a additional natural position.
1:31PM
74 minutes - RMA zero - two BAR
Beautiful soccer from Iniesta. He holds off Modric in his own box, shields the ball and starts a fast passing move that takes urban center far from danger and into eye.
Casemiro and Kovacic square measure hooked for Bale and Asensio.
1:28PM
71 minutes - RMA zero - two BAR
Iniesta slides into a tackle on Kroos, wins the ball cleanly and Suarez spots Messi with a superb through-ball. Messi turns, nips far from the last man however needs to go wide... and his low shot is saved.
Zidane still hasn't created his substitutions. urban center square measure up to the mark here, creating Associate in Nursing offensive modification currently might place Real in real hassle - it is smart to weigh down the switch and wait till momentum has gone.
1:26PM
69 minutes - RMA zero - two BAR
Bale and Asensio on the point of return on. what is Zidane's thinking here? that would be 3 man forward line... with a 3 man defence? A 3-3-3? urban center have this one within the bag currently. they'll sit back and absorb pressure and keep the ball.
real capital of Spain
Credit: REUTERS
Real capital of Spain players square measure commencing to lose their heads.
1:23PM
66 minutes RMA zero - two BAR
Ooooh the fans detest this currently. Benzema has been started for tortilla chip. Pressure growing on a manager UN agency has won eight trophies in concerning 2 years - it's insane.
1:21PM
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL
MESSI SCORES!
Real capital of Spain zero urban center one (Suarez 54', Messi pen. 64')
1:21PM
64 minutes - RMA zero - one BAR
The game's extremely displayed currently and is finish to finish. SUAREZ IS IN! SAVED! The ball drops to Messi, he should score, passes wide to Suarez. THIS should BE IT! He hits the post! so there is a mad scramble as Paulinho heads at goal... however Carvajal saves it! Yep, the defender Carvajal. RED CARD!
DRAMA! PENALTY!
1:18PM
61 minutes - RMA zero - one BAR
Suarez ought to be created to elucidate that woeful performance to his youngsters. Imagine doing that during a pub? Imagine if you had the misfortune to bang your knee on a table walking through a bar, so fling yourself to the bottom howling in pain?
Ramos is reserved, therefore you'll be able to mark that one off your Clasico beano cards. He catches... guess who? Suarez within the face along with his arm. it is a definite foul, and doubtless Ramos giving him a wee bit back, however nothing too malicious. Ramos' arm is simply alittle loose. Incredibly, Suarez has survived this one too.
1:15PM
58 minutes - RMA zero - one BAR
Suarez is... ludicrous. He shoulder barges Casemiro, momentum takes him over and down so he lands on Casemiro and puts on the worst amateur dramatics you will ever see, or for a minimum of succeeding jiffy till Suarez tries once more, as Suarez will a Hamlet and holds his arm enter pain. he is dying! Buckeye State god nooooo Suarez, can you live?
Luckily for all concerned, Suarez makes a miraculous recovery from that close to fatal fall. that was his fault, incidentally.
1:12PM
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!
It's Suarez! nice goal!
Real capital of Spain zero urban center one (Suarez 54')
Casemiro is caught out of position, Rakitic drives fifty yards through the center of the pitch with the ball - stunning point defensive from Real - and he finds Roberto on the correct, UN agency is aware of Suarez is free on the left. a coffee transit the bottom sets up a simple end.
1:11PM
53 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Real capital of Spain vs urban center
Credit: REUTERS
Paulinho offers the ball away however Rakitic anticipates and steps across to dam the aerial that almost opens them up straight when. Paulinho could be a much more direct player than most of this Barca team and is disconcerting the rhythm of their passing now and then.
However, he is concerned here as Barca spring Associate in Nursing attack quickly and Suarez will shoot from within the box. might this be the gap goal... no. Saved low to the left by Navas.
1:08PM
50 minutes -RMA zero - zero BAR
80, 264 individuals square measure within the Bernebeu nowadays. Around [*fr1] a billion individuals square measure look on TV.
1:05PM
48 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Ronaldo is doing his attractive tricks on the sect however Pique does not appear to worry, lets him cut within and also the shot is well wide. Ronaldo desires a corner however is not obtaining it... although it looked shut.
Casemiro runs into hassle, realises it and goes down. ne'er a free-kick however the referee buys it and disrupts play.
Navas with a poor clearance hands urban center the ball once more and that they work it round the Real capital of Spain space. Suarez will an excessive amount of once more and provides away the ball.
1:02PM
KICK-OFF 2
We're back!
Ronaldo vs urban center
Credit: alpha fetoprotein
1:01PM
El Tactico
Thierry Henry has dubbed this one 'El Tactico' because of the difficult eye battle that is happening. Zidane has matched Barcelona's form and fielded Kovacic to stay Messi quiet. It's operating rather well with each groups cancelling one another out however it'd be nice to envision them displayed a trifle, that i believe may happen presently.
Real also are concentrating heavily on Sergi Roberto's facet of the pitch and Valverde may look to present him some support.
12:55PM
The two best players within the world
Ronaldo
Credit: REUTERS
Messi
Credit: REUTERS
12:48PM
HALF TIME
Real capital of Spain zero urban center zero
And that's that. Real capital of Spain attempting to be extremely direct however do not get lucky with their crossing simply however, whereas urban center square measure taking their time. it isn't quite the high hydrocarbon match we're sometimes treated to however there is been some pretty soccer.
12:47PM
45 minutes +1 - RMA zero - zero BAR
Messi flick
Credit: REUTERS
Iniesta is improbably sensible. He waits for a pass, shimmies and tries to fool Modric, UN agency does not purchase the feint and tries to tackle however in a second, Iniesta is gone and speeds away towards goal. Messi is taken down by Marcelo concerning twenty five yards out and can have an opportunity to attain from the free-kick right the sting of [*fr1] time.
Messi.... hits the wall.
12:44PM
44 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
BENZEMAAAAAAA HITS THE POST! simply WIDE! nice offensive play once more from Real. The cross is whipped in from the sect by Marcelo and Benzema is within the right place to lean his head forward and knock it at goal. It's simply wide of the so much post when placing the upright.
12:41PM
41 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Brilliant from Iniesta! He breezes past Carvajal, cuts within, plays the pass into the box and it's flicked backwards to Messi, UN agency takes his man and gets a cross sure Paulinho at the close to post... UN agency attracts a save from Navas! Barca sustain the pressure from the corner however currently Real will counter-attack. Ronaldo leads the charge... and Benzema's unsatisfying pass is cut out.
12:38PM
38 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Suarez encompasses a likelihood to run at goal however tries to try to to so much an excessive amount of on his own and is well roofless within the finish.
Marcelo is broken in down the left and nearly pulls the ball back to Ronaldo on the sting of the box. a final ditch slide tackle kills the move.
12:35PM
35 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Barcelona vs Real capital of Spain
Credit: alpha fetoprotein
A Messi mistake permits a turnover of possession at halfway and this is often dangerous! Real capital of Spain surge forwards, move the ball wide to Ronaldo on the correct and his early cross finds Benzema, whose tried shot goes behind for a goal kick.
12:32PM
32 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
The corner is headed by Pique, hits a associate, Pique wins it and turns, then goes down below a tackle. Was that a foul?! It gave the impression of it on initial look however the referee does not care and neither do the players.
Real capital of Spain get on with things, and attack down the left once more. Ronaldo pulls out wide, gets into the box and shoots from wide of the six yard box... therefore CLOSE! It hits a body and goes behind for a corner. Ronaldo attacks the corner however puts the take aback.
12:31PM
30 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Real still not having any joy with crosses from wide. No team in Europe's high 5 leagues has created additional crosses than Zidane's team and they are functioning on extending that lead here.
Paulinho is fouled by Ramos, giving Barca a free-kick within the $64000 [*fr1]. They take it short, of course, and begin the short passing games however square measure watched each in. of the approach in Associate in Nursing intense press.
And Paulinho is in! He runs in behind from deep, Messi spots it and chips over the highest however Navas is ready to tip the shot over the bar from within the box. sensible effort.
12:27PM
27 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Suarez desires a foul when being bundled off the ball by a defender however it's ne'er a free-kick. that will not stop inarticulate concerning it although.
Iniesta yells at his teammates to cool down and keep possession rather than invariably probing for the ball in behind. Kovacic wins a corner with an original run down the correct and a cleared cross, Pique heads away and Ramos had fouled Vermaelen anyway.
12:25PM
24 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Modric is pull the strings here, diversion round the pitch and turning up everyplace. Messi is on the ball currently although, flicks it over the defenders head, turns and plays it out wide even as a defender gets shut. he is too fast for them and wins a corner.
Real head away the corner, then the second section, and Busquets passes all the approach back to his own [*fr1]. Messi has gone roaming from his forward position and is doing what Modric is.
12:22PM
21 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Barca cannot keep hold of the ball. Real square measure extremely up for this and pressing high. Carvajal is essentially a right athlete, Marcelo has hardly been in his own [*fr1].
barca vs real
Credit: REUTERS
Modric carries the ball, Ronaldo runs down the left and cuts within once within the box. Looks up, sees the passes... and shoots. It's blocked.
12:19PM
18 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Jordi Alba makes a vital interception even as Benzema is on the point of play in Carvajal to the rear of the box. Messi gets on the ball and Real players instantly seize with teeth him. urban center slow things down within the Real capital of Spain [*fr1], walk around so Iniesta spots a run over the highest, chips the ball however puts an excessive amount of thereon.
Rakitic drives forward with the ball once more and Roberto overlaps, puts it within the space and defenders block. urban center square measure extremely taking their time on the ball however have given it away now! Modric skips forwards and Vermaelen dives in, wipes him out and earns a yellow card.
12:15PM
15 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Ronaldo non goal vs urban center
Credit: REUTERS
Rakitic intercepts a pass and brings it forward, Busquets clumsily balloons the ball out of play for a throw. urban center commencing to get a foothold during this game.
12:13PM
12 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID! when some extremely slick passing by Real the Barca defence unveil. The ball is contend into Ronaldo, UN agency ought to score from twelve yards just about however swings at the ball and kicks void. It rolls towards the rear post Associate in Nursingd Carvajal comes flying in! Iniesta spots the danger and slides in however has taken an almighty bang and goes down in agony clutching his shin. when a few of minutes, he hobbles round the pitch and can be okay to continue. That looked terribly painful.
12:09PM
9 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Pique shields his eyes from the sun as he brings the ball out from the goalkeeper slowly. urban center square measure staying patient and attempting to require the sting out of this early Real surge.
Barcelona suddenly begin pressing and catch Real abruptly, pushing them towards their goal when a burst of energy from Messi. The referee has referred to as Luis Suarez out for dissent when he (incorrectly) dominated him offsides. No yellow card however he'll bear in mind that.
12:06PM
6 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Real square measure up to the mark too soon here and offensive with energy. Ronaldo is onanism the stepovers and also the crowd adore it. Carvajal tries an effort from thirty yards however it rolls on the turf and into Ter Stegen's waiting arms.
Barcelona haven't even been in Real's [*fr1] however.
12:03PM
3 minutes - RMA zero - zero BAR
Ronaldo gets the gang on their feet as he sprints down the left channel and chops within. Kovacic is taking part in fairly so much forward, next to Busquets. Carvajal wins a corner.
GOOOOOAAAAAA - offsides. Ronaldo is simply offsides as he powers a header from shut vary past Ter Stegen.
12:01PM
KICK-OFF
After Sergio Ramos parades the Club tournament round the Bernebeu, urban center get the sport started.
11:58AM
Here return the players!
They're all handshakes and smiles for currently. i can not imagine it will be an equivalent when the sport.
11:54AM
How have Real lined up here?
Barcelona square measure invariably a form of 4-1-3-2 below Valverde, with Messi roaming wherever he chooses from a central position, as critical returning in from the correct wing.
It implies that they are forced to play quite slender and for the midfielders to time their runs therefore as to not leave the defence exposed. dimension needs to return from the full-backs, UN agency can have a troublesome time against Real's good wide defensive couple.
Real capital of Spain have sometimes switched between a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2 diamond this season however it isn't clear what form this can be nowadays.
Ronaldo vs urban center
Credit: REUTERS
Kovacic could be a central midfielder, as square measure Kroos and Modric. And Casemiro. i would imagine Casemiro can sit at the bottom of a diamond and Kovacic can sometimes take part attacks... plenty like Barca's 4-1-3-2. Has Zidane tried to match them here?
Expect Isco and Bale later if Real square measure chasing the sport.
11:43AM
Inside the globe of Zizou
After non-stop success from the off, Zinedine Zidane's stellar management career has hit a snag and Real languish in fourth place in La Liga. Defeat in El Clasico would see them fall fourteen points behind urban center and out of the title race. what is gone wrong?
Allow JJ Bull (me) to elucidate during this PIECE HERE. Here is Associate in Nursing extract:
Injuries and suspension to Carvajal and Marcelo this season have meant Real's offensive play on the wings has been so much weaker, with tortilla chip and Theo Hernandez relied on to hold out the roles of 2 of the most effective wing-backs in world soccer. they're each quality players in their title, however more or less at an equivalent level.
Real capital of Spain 4-4-2 in attack
Real Madrid's offensive form within the diamond formation.
dimension needs to return from the wing-backs. If it does not, those 2 strikers do not have abundant to figure with, play is constricted and defensive groups will place up defensive walls to stop neat one-two passes and through-balls.
Opponents tend to play safe, sit back and check out to counter attack Real capital of Spain, which means Real fancy the overwhelming majority of possession in each game they play (an average of fifty nine.1 per cent in La Liga).
11:18AM
Team news - No Gareth Bale
11:12AM
Five El Clasico talking points
Real's title hopes hanging by a thread
Zinedine Zidane could have pink-slipped the notion on weekday however Real can sure enough be out of the running if urban center win within the national capital and open up a 14-point gap over their nice rivals. Ernesto Valverde's undefeated facet have born simply six points all season and Real would sure enough concede defeat in their quest to regain the title if the deficit to Barca is widened any still.
No guard of honour for Real
Cristiano Ronaldo displayed a discussion once spoken language it "would be nice" if Real's Club tournament triumph last weekend was marked with a guard of honour from Barcelona's players. The guests haven't any intention of hospitable Real's players onto the dig in such fashion, as they did in 2008 3 days when Real won the LaLiga title. Frank Rijkaard's facet were then thrashed 4-1.
Will Bale start?
It has been 3 months since forward Gareth Bale last started a league fixture however Zidane unconcealed he's "100 per cent (ready) to play" when a try of spectacular anaglyph appearances at the Club tournament. Given the magnitude of the fixture, and Real's would like for a success, Zidane should be considering selecting the Welshman in his XI following his come back from a calf downside.
Messi v Ronaldo
As ever once these 2 heavyweight clubs meet, all eyes are going to be on that genius has the higher day. The year 2017 has belonged to Ronaldo, UN agency recently won his fifth Ballon d'Or award, attachment him level with Messi, having scored a brace within the Champions League final and helped Real to the LaLiga title. however within the last league meeting between the 2 in Apr it absolutely was Messi UN agency scored the winner, his five hundredth goal for Barca, and celebrated by holding the name on his shirt up before of the $64000 fans.
The Real red mist
Real's possibilities of defeating Valverde's team are going to be bigger if they'll keep eleven men on the pitch, one thing that has established on the far side them in several recent Clasicos. In four of the past six games against Barca Los Blancos have had a person pink-slipped, whereas defender Sergio Ramos has been sent off 5 times in these fixtures, with 3 of these reds being brandished within the past 3 years.
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