El Clasico 2012: Real Madrid Will Exorcise Barcelona Demons with La Liga Title

It would be somewhat of an understatement to say Real Madrid needs to defeat Barcelona in the latest round of their El Clasico rivalry.

Los Blancos have done a remarkable job of building a four-point La Liga lead with five matches to go, but the only thing that really matters to them is what happens in this game. 

It is no secret that Barca have had the upper hand in this rivalry for the last few years. They have captured the last three La Liga titles, while Real Madrid has finished up in the runner-up spot each time. 

For a rivalry as intense and personal as this one, being able to capture a La Liga title and defeat Barcelona simultaneously would have a sweet taste to it. 

Making a victory even better is knowing that Madrid will have earned it, as opposed to Barca suffering through an epic collapse that allowed Los Blancos back into it. 

Since a 3-1 loss against Barcelona on December 10, Real Madrid has put together a remarkable 15-0-3 run to take control of La Liga. 

Barcelona is arguably the best club in the world right now. At the very least, the club boasts the best player in Lionel Messi. He is single-handedly carrying this offense right now. 

Xavi Hernandez certainly isn't lacking for confidence heading into this match, but he knows that the winner all but has La Liga wrapped up. 

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The league depends very much on the outcome of this game, We will try to claim the win and move to within a point of the top. We are thrilled that we've been able to reduce the gap from 10 points to four.

We have home advantage and we will try to put on a good performance to get the three points that we need.

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But Real Madrid is playing with all the momentum in the world right now. Confidence is going to be key. 

There is no denying that mind games are going to play a factor in this match. Barcelona feels like the big brother right now. They have been dominating little brother for so long that there is a mental block that Real Madrid has to overcome in order to get a victory. 

Given the momentum they have, it is time for Madrid to make a statement. 

This is their time to shine. All of those recent struggles against Barca will be a thing of the past.

Real Madrid will stand tall with a victory over its nemesis—and it will do so with a La Liga title in its grasp. 

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