Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Where Is the Clasico Rivalry Going Next?

When Jordi Alba scored a late consolation against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, it didn't seem relevant. Despite Barcelona's huge lead in La Liga at the time, which eventually led to the title, the momentum felt well and truly with Los Blancos in this enthralling rivalry.

In truth, a defining moment in recent El Clasico history was perhaps the 2-2 draw in the Copa del Rey the season before this one; when Madrid fought back from 2-0 down at Camp Nou, but still exited the competition due to losing the first leg.

Chasing that match brought out a different side of Jose Mourinho's men and, as it was successful, it gave them the belief required to kick on against a great Barca side they were beginning to think they couldn't beat.

Since that draw back in January 2012, Madrid have won four of the seven matches played against Barca—they've drawn two and lost just once.

Despite Barcelona sailing toward the title this season, there was still a feeling that Madrid had established themselves as the dominant force in Spain once again. Defeats in the Champions League for both sides against teams from Germany seems to have sent both clubs panicking back to square one, though.

And it could well be for the benefit of El Clasico.

For La Blaugrana, it isn't as extreme as some people suggest, but changes in personnel have not been as necessary as they are this summer for some time in Catalonia.

Neymar has already checked in from Santos, while a goalkeeper should soon follow as Victor Valdes looks set to clinch a move to Monaco (via MARCA). It's no secret defenders are required too, and they may even move to bring in another midfielder.

What's important is that their philosophy doesn't change, because tired legs after five seasons of domination for club and country doesn't signal the end of an idea.

In the Spanish capital there will be changes too, starting with Carlo Ancelotti jumping into Mourinho's shoes in the dugout—he wants Fabio Cannavaro to join him as his assistant. 

Dani Carvajal will return to jostle with Alvaro Arbeloa for the right-back position, while Ancelotti looks likely to turn to a new No. 9; Edinison Cavani, Luis Suarez, Robert Lewandowski and Sergio Aguero have all been linked.

Then there's the Gareth Bale affair too (via the Daily Mail), oh, and Isco (via The Sun).

It looks like being Madrid's busiest summer since that of 2009 when Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso and Karim Benzema were among those to arrive.

It all points towards a new chapter in the El Clasico story; a much-needed, and extremely exciting, turning of the page.

There was a lingering doubt when Pep Guardiola left that he'd grown tired of the constant pressure and mind games thrust upon him from Mourinho, something he denied when he left. Although he did admit tiredness had taken its toll on him, according to Brooks Peck of Yahoo:

"Did Mourinho influence my decision to leave? Not at all. I had other opponents as well, but other coaches don't make you tired. Day-to-day work and winning does," Guardiola said. 

If Pep hadn't grown tired of the constant bickering—which has increased between the coaches, players, media and fans of the two clubs due to the frequency of the meetings—when him and Mourinho were controlling Europe's two big clubs, there's a suggestion that the rest of the world had.

There were six Clasico matches in 2012 and seven the year before; there have been 16 meetings between the two sides since the calendar year ticked into 2011.

Exhilarating and full of quality the matches may have remained, the strains of so many matches and the same old faces constantly getting into each other's faces was taking its toll; this summer's decorating jobs should add a new freshness to the rivalry.

Ancelotti took his PSG side to Camp Nou in this season's Champions League and took the game to Barcelona, taking the lead before eventually being knocked out on away goals.

The hope is that that is a sign of what is to come if (when?) the Italian is handed the reigns in the Spanish capital.

With Tito Vilanova having a summer to shape Barcelona further in his image, not to mention with Mourinho out the picture, the Clasico rivalry will hopefully return to being played on the pitch.

Because, at the end of the day, that is what everyone enjoys the most.