El Clásico CCL: FC Barcelona -vs- Real Madrid CF 19:00

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Tonight sees the 250th meeting between the 2 sides. Real Madrid haven't beaten Barcelona in the league since the 2007-2008 season when they won 4-1 at the Bernabeu. The 2007-2008 season was also the last time they beat Barcelona in the league at the Camp Nou, with Baptista scoring the only goal of the game. It has been 15 games since Real Madrid have beaten Barcelona in normal time (again, going back to the 07-08 season), but a draw tonight would more than likely be enough to see them crowned La Liga champions for the first time in 4 seasons.

Tonight also sees Lionel Messi going head to head yet again with Cristiano Ronaldo. Both players have 41 league goals, although Messi leads the overall scoring with 63 goals to Ronaldo's 53. Lionel Messi is also the highest scorer in El Clasico that is still playing. He has scored 13 goals in this fixture, which is just 5 goals behind the all-time record held by Alfredo Di Stéfano.

There is so many interesting facets to tonights game, arguably the most significant of which is that both teams face important CL ties within days. Both managers have important decisions to make regarding personel, with both La Liga and the Champions League at stake. Real Madrid have to overcome a 1-2 first leg deficit to Bayern Munich, whereas Barcelona have to come from 0-1 down to overcome Chelsea. Both Bayern and Chelsea have been somewhat of bogey teams to Real and Barca respectively, and so increases the complications regarding team selection tonight. Both managers will want to play full strength teams with only 4 points separating them in the league. Mourinho arguably hold the advantage in this regard, knowing that a draw will do and also having an extra days rest before the visit of Bayern.

Possible line-ups:
Projected Barcelona lineup (4-3-3): Victor Valdes; Carles Puyol, Girard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves; Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta; Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi, Pedro Rodriguez

Projected Real Madrid lineup (4-2-3-1): Iker Casillas; Marcelo, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa; Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira; Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Özil, Angel Di Maria; Karim Benzema

NinjaK

Hope Barca win this, would make the title run in very interesting!

Mushy

This is going to be the typical thing for me of wanting Real to win at first, but then Barca will end up playing lovely football, certain RM players will annoy me and I'll be happy they've lost.

kitakyushu

I'm hoping a small fly will land on Pepe's shoulder during the game so I can see his impression of the Passion of the Christ.

Richard Hillman

I predict Barca to lie, con, cheat and steal, Madrid to lose their heads and a lot of whataboutery.

Turtyturd

Mourinho to do/say something controversial...maybe puncture the tyres on the ref's car if Barca win.

Redzer7

Hope to god Madrid win it.

kitakyushu

Does La Liga decide final league position on 2x head-to-head results first or on goal difference?

Redzer7

kitakyushu wrote: »

Does La Liga decide final league position on 2x head-to-head results first or on goal difference?

Goal difference I'd imagine.

Bodhisopha

kitakyushu wrote: »

Does La Liga decide final league position on 2x head-to-head results first or on goal difference?

h2h

ShamoBuc

I hope Barca stuff the shít out of Real. I envisage steam coming out of Mourinho's head in frustration and Real finishing with 10 - maybe 9!

Nailz

Richard Hillman wrote: »

I predict Barca to lie, con, cheat and steal, Madrid to lose their heads and a lot of whataboutery.

This. Hoping for an entertaining game of football. Looking forward to see what tactics will be imposed by Jose and the lads, I'm hopeful they'll grab another precious victory in the closing stages of this La Liga campaign, as long as Barça don't swarm around the referee at every breathing moment like they usually do.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

kitakyushu wrote:

Does La Liga decide final league position on 2x head-to-head results first or on goal difference?

No, it's decided by head-to-head, so if Barca win/draw/lose by one tonight and finish on level points with Real then they would win La Liga (they beat Real 3-1 away back in December).

Redzer7

Bodhisopha wrote: »

h2h

THFC wrote: »

No, it's decided by head-to-head, so if Barca win/draw/lose by one tonight and finish on level points with Real then they would win La Liga (they beat Real 3-1 away back in December).

Seriously? I never knew that, no point in goal difference really then is there?

Blatter

Real Madrid only playing with 10 men THFC? Probably will end up that way

Will be interesting to see the line ups considering the CL matches. Think Barca will have to make more changes because they had a day less rest and play on the Tuesday. Wouldn't surprise me to see Thiago and/or Cuenca start and Xavi get a rest. Not sure he can play 3 high intensity games in 6 days. If Sanchez is unavailable it'll be a big blow for Barca although I read he should make it.

Think Marcelo is nailed on to start for Madrid, good chance of Kaka and Higuain too.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Blatter wrote: »

Real Madrid only playing with 10 men THFC? Probably will end up that way

I've double and triple checked - 11!

Casillas
Arbeloa --- Pepe --- Ramos --- Marcelo
Alonso --- Khedira
Di Maria --- Ozil --- Ronaldo
Benzema

Personally, I'd be surprised to see Diarra not starting. Madrid only need to draw, and Diarra has always played well against Barca in the past.

Blatter

THFC wrote: »

I've double and triple checked - 11!

Casillas
Arbeloa --- Pepe --- Ramos --- Marcelo
Alonso --- Khedira
Di Maria --- Ozil --- Ronaldo
Benzema

Personally, I'd be surprised to see Diarra not starting. Madrid only need to draw, and Diarra has always played well against Barca in the past.

Yeah it's coming up now. It's weird because a few mins ago it was coming up Me Maria and only showing 10 players for Real even though it said you edited it over an hour ago!

I think Lass is very doubtful. Picked up a hamstring injury against Villarreal and hasn't returned since.

carlop

Madrid and Barca can't be too pleased with the League Federation scheduling the Clasico the weekend in between the Champions League semi-finals.

It's hardly a surprise that the two clubs made it to the semis and surely having the Clasico bang in the middle only damages the chances of Spanish clubs in Europe.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

2 interesting pieces here, the first from Sid Lowe in The Guardian, and the second just a piece comparing Ronaldo to Messi.

Blatter

I'd say Barca will be a bit worried about the Chelsea starting line up today. They've made 8 changes so should be fresh enough for Tuesday. Barca will have to make some but can only make around 3 at max imo.

LuckyLloyd

I demand justice. Real better be money time tonight.

carlop

I don't think Barca will rest anyone. The Clasico will always be the more important fixture. We might see a change up front and a change at full-back, but those will be tactical.

Part of me thinks Madrid will get something tonight, but Barca's home record is just so ridiculously good this season.

My hate of Real Madrid means I'm far from neutral, but surely neutrals must want Barca to win, as the run in would be so much more exciting.

monkey9

Richard Hillman wrote: »

I predict Barca to lie, con, cheat and steal, Madrid to lose their heads and a lot of whataboutery.

You seem to be under the misguided notion that Madrid are angels. They are both as bad as each other when it comes to this. The difference being, when football breaks out, Barcelona are just so much a better team that they go on to win the game!!

I know that upsets you and makes you say things, but that's football!!

Paully D

Ha'way Madrid!

Richard Hillman

monkey9 wrote: »

Richard Hillman wrote: »

I predict Barca to lie, con, cheat and steal, Madrid to lose their heads and a lot of whataboutery.

You seem to be under the misguided notion that Madrid are angels. They are both as bad as each other when it comes to this. The difference being, when football breaks out, Barcelona are just so much a better team that they go on to win the game!!

I know that upsets you and makes you say things, but that's football!!

Stopped reading after "both as bad". Whataboutery being the reason.

chillian17

Curtain Call - ¡Hay Liga! - a look at the end of the La Liga season and a look ahead to the Clásico all in one.

kitakyushu

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Whataboutery

It's a perfectly cromulent word.

MD1990

Rumoured Barca Line-Up
Valdez,Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano; Busquets, Xavi, Thiago; Iniesta,Messi,Tello

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

MD1990 wrote: »

Rumoured Barca Line-Up
Valdez,Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano; Busquets, Xavi, Thiago; Iniesta,Messi,Tello

Would love to see that team. I don't think Fabs will be starting Tuesday however, so I'd imagine he would start ahead of Thiago or Iniesta.

dfx-

Would love to see Tello play both games this week. If teams are going to try force Barcelona wide, he'll expose them and is certainly quicker than Cole too. Moreso than Cuenca and even Pedro/Alexis..

Not feeling confident about a home win at all, I think it's set up for an away win at last. First goal very important..

Apparently the poor sod who has to try referee the game has shown 88 cards in 16 games. Oh dear:eek:

kryogen

Messi due a goal in a Classico tonight, hasnt scored for a few has he?

Ronnie has scored in the last 3 though and oddly enough he gets flak for not doing it against Barca lol!

I really really hope this match is a good one, for footballing reasons, but I dont have faith in either club to make it so

Blind faith then

adox

Really looking forward to this, so much riding on this one game.

Hoping for a Madrid win I think.

ricero

i fear for mourinho's health tonight if Madrid lose i think his head might explode

Blatter

Barca: Valdés, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano, Busquets, Iniesta, Thiago, Xavi, Alves, Messi, Tello.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Özil, Di Maria, Ronaldo, Benzema

Mr Alan

kryogen wrote: »

Messi due a goal in a Classico tonight, hasnt scored for a few has he?

Ronnie has scored in the last 3 though and oddly enough he gets flak for not doing it against Barca lol!

Huh?

Ronaldo didn't score in the last El Classico in December in which Messi was awesome & Ronaldo was particularly wasteful. I can't be arsed checking the other ones, but as someone who's watched all the El Classico's since Ronaldo went to Spain it's fair to say Ronaldo hasn't come within a thousand miles of performing like Messi has in those games.

I know you love him & he is brilliant, stand out second best player in the world, but the little fella is from a different planet.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Barca: Valdés, Alves, Mascherano, Puyol, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Thiago, Iniesta, Messi y Tello


Really looking forward to seeing how Tello performs.

kryogen

Mr Alan wrote: »

Huh?

.

Didnt say anything negative whatsoever about Messi, said he was due a goal in fact, not comparing them at all, just laughing at others perceptions my friend, and apologies, I meant to say he has scored in 3 of the last 4 Classicos

Corholio

Mr Alan wrote: »

Huh?

Ronaldo didn't score in the last El Classico in December in which Messi was awesome & Ronaldo was particularly wasteful. I can't be arsed checking the other ones, but as someone who's watched all the El Classico's since Ronaldo went to Spain it's fair to say Ronaldo hasn't come within a thousand miles of performing like Messi has in those games.

I know you love him & he is brilliant, stand out second best player in the world, but the little fella is from a different planet.

He didnt compare Messi to Ronaldo in the Classico's at all. Just said he gets flak for not doing it against Barca.

kryogen

THFC wrote: »

Barca: Valdés, Alves, Mascherano, Puyol, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Thiago, Iniesta, Messi y Tello


Really looking forward to seeing how Tello performs.

This confirmed? you have the Madrid line up?

Really hope JM goes for it tonight and tries to put the league to bed but cant see him doing it, Madrid have scored the most league goals ever in a Spanish season so far, well, tied for it, so if they do score tonight it will be another record broken!

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

kryogen wrote: »

This confirmed?

According to Opta & Real Madrid Twitter yes.

kryogen wrote: »

you have the Madrid line up?

Blatter has posted it already, this also confirmed by Real Madrid's official Twitter.

Blatter wrote: »

Barca: Valdés, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano, Busquets, Iniesta, Thiago, Xavi, Alves, Messi, Tello.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Özil, Di Maria, Ronaldo, Benzema

Blatter

kryogen wrote: »

This confirmed? you have the Madrid line up?

I posted it above there.

And Jesus Alan, we know you love a good rant but read the post your replying to before hand! :pac:

Professional Griefer

This thread will make for some hilarious reading.

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

To anyone watching El Clasico on FSS, the HD stream is on channel 61, which isn't listed in the schedule.

markie29

georgiecasey wrote: »

To anyone watching El Clasico on FSS, the HD stream is on channel 61, which isn't listed in the schedule.

Thanks for that

kryogen

^ delete that post quick bud

kitakyushu

willmunny1990 wrote: »

A victory for Madrid would be a victory for football.

More like a victory for UFC.

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

kryogen wrote: »

^ delete that post quick bud

wha, are they banning for that now?!

kryogen

Ix Deadmau5 wrote: »

This thread will make for some hilarious reading.

Could be more entertaining then the match!

thebison

Will be looking to make some money out of El #Clasico. If it's anything like last 2 games, Madrid will got 1-0 up and I'll back Barca at 5/2

Got this offer from Setantabet by email. Don't really fancy a red card to be honest but still a nice offer.

If there is a red card in the Barca v Real Madrid game, we will refund all losing correct score bets!

Turtwig

Excellent to see Tello getting a run in, it'll be really interesting to see how he holds up tonight. Thiago I have a few doubts over, he tends to be a bit rash and sloppy at times. That said, he can spot some unreal passes. But my biggeest question : Where the fack is Kaka?