El Clasico: The Derby to End All Others

Well here we are again. Another year, and another Spanish Clasico: the clash of the titans, the match that seems to take hold of Europe every year, that captivates football fans across a continent, a spectacle shown in pubs and bars from London to Paris, Moscow to New York City, and everywhere in between.

The last time these two teams meet is etched in history—for one team, one that has been immortalized on posters, postcards and commemorative t-shirts—and for the other, one they’re trying desperately to forget.

May 7^th, 2008. Real Madrid had only clinched their 31^st La Liga title 72 hours before putting Barcelona through the most humiliating of Spanish sporting traditions: forming the pasillo and clapping their most bitter of rivals out of the tunnel before the match.

The contest itself was only salt on the wounds, as Barcelona had to endure a 4-1 thumping in the Santiago Bernabeu: an embarrassing finish to an overall embarrassing season.

Fast Forward to December 13^th: the tables have most definitely turned. New manager Pep Guardiola has led the Blaugrana to 11 wins in their last 12 La Liga matches, with summer signings like Dani Alves, Seydou Keita and Alexander Hleb adding even further depth to a squad that already boasts the signatures of superstars Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Xavi, Iniesta, and Samuel Eto’o—the latter netting an astonishing 14 goals before the Christmas break already.

Madrid on the other hand, has not been so fortunate. A squad that looked terrifying at the beginning of the season now looks anemic, unable to get results in the league against minnows Almeria, Getafe, and Valladolid.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?