Spain’s clasico is the only game in world football which consistently lives up to its hype, the ace in the hand of the Primera Liga officials concerned about the growing power of England’s Premier League, with its larger, fairer television contract, more competition and bigger international exposure.
The matches between the two biggest and most successful English clubs, Manchester United and Liverpool, often underwhelm and are constrained by the caution of two sides who do not want to lose. Both ended in draws this season, 0-0 and 1-1.
The Manchester derby, which takes place on Thursday at Etihad Stadium, has its moments, also the North London derby and any big games in England — such as Manchester United against Chelsea last week.
But none come close to the consistent excellence shown in the clasico, the absolute top level of football, with magical goals and thrilling storylines.
Sunday night was another fine example of why the clasico stands above all else and — aside from the 80,000 in the stadium including the many invited foreign journalists — 650 million watched it globally, making it the biggest game in football.
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They were not disappointed. There were five goals and some breathtaking play, yet the attacking intent of both sides remained true to the final whistle, even though both had played sapping Uefa Champions League quarter-final games midweek against fellow European giants.
Following their 86th-minute equaliser from James Rodriguez which made the score 2-2, a draw would have been a far better result for Madrid.
They would have retained a three-point league at the top of the table with a game in hand. The head-to-head record between the two teams would have been equal.
Instead, urged on by the 80,000 crowd and pumped up with adrenalin after the equaliser, Zidane’s side pushed for a winner at home. They wanted to show that they were the best team in Spain, the team who deserved to be champions by defeating their greatest rivals and finishing the job properly.
Madrid’s high attacking line left them vulnerable to be counter attacked, which is exactly what Barca did when exhausted defender Sergi Roberto, who was also impressive in the same fixture last season, surged forward and, in a move involving the maligned Andre Gomes and Jordi Alba, help set up Messi’s 92nd-minute winner.
Reports of Barca’s demise were greatly exaggerated.
It was gripping stuff, enthralling for the neutrals watching around the world and even between for Barca fans, but painful for Madrid fans as their players collapsed to the Bernabeu turf, just as Bayern Munich’s had five days previous.
Messi’s end-of-game celebration after his 500th club goal, where he took his shirt off and held it up to Madrid fans while staying stony-faced, was fascinating.
It was not because he had reached the milestone, nor because he had passed Alfredo di Stefano as the player with the most clasico goals, but more because he had spent the night being kicked by Casemiro and elbowed by Marcelo.
Battered and bloodied, the Argentine responded in the best way possible.
It is implausible that every clasico will be as dramatic, yet they deliver far more drama, far more brilliance, than any other match.
Add to this the world’s best players — including the first and second best in Messi and Ronaldo — plus the power and history of both clubs and a rivalry which extends out of sport into regional identities played out on a world stage, a historical enmity played in football’s grandest stadiums at least twice a year.
It all keeps the clasico as the main event between two sides who have won an unparalleled five European Cups between them since 2009, including the last three.
This is a golden age for Spanish football and it may soon pass, for success can be cyclical, but it is hard to see the clasico being bettered, ever.
League race heats up
New Primera Liga leaders Barcelona play bottom-of-the-table and soon-to-be-relegated Osasuna Wednesday night at Camp Nou, with nothing but a convincing victory expected.
The Catalans have set a target of winning their remaining five games to seal a title they have won eight times in the past 11 years, a spell in which they have not only been Spain’s pre-eminent force, but football’s.
After Tonight’s game, Barca will play a derby at Espanyol on Sunday, then they are at home to Villarreal, away to Las Palmas and finally at home to Eibar on May 21.
Barca’s league aspirations would have been shot had they not won on Sunday, but they did. Now they need to keep winning because the title is still in Real Madrid’s hands. If Zinedine Zidane’s side win their remaining six games then they are champions. But after the 3-2 defeat, both sides are on 75 points with identical win, draw and loss records, and — as every Spanish newspaper professed on Monday — “Hay Liga!”, “The league is on”.
Both teams have run ins with a similar level of difficulty. Starting Wednesday in La Coruna, two of Madrid’s away games are in Galicia.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Toni Kroos have both been ruled out, while Sergio Ramos, who picked up his 17th league red card, is suspended for Wednesday and fellow central defender Pepe remains injured. French defender Rafael Varane is set to be welcomed back.
Seventeen was also an unfortunate number for Gareth Bale, who started the clasico before departing injured after 38 minutes with his 17th injury since moving to Spain. He is also out for a month with growing concerns over the Welshman’s long-term fitness.
Deportivo beat Barcelona last month, while Celta Vigo have already beaten Madrid at home, knocking them out of the Copa de Rey. Celta also beat Barca at home in the league.
Madrid’s game at Celta is their game in hand on Barca and will be played in the final week of the league.
Following Uefa Champions League elimination by Juventus, the Catalans do not have the distraction of European commitments. Madrid must play two semi-final games at Atletico, while Celta must play two Europa League semi-finals against Manchester United.
Madrid also play at home to an improved Valencia side who beat them in Mestalla, away at Tony Adams’s doomed Granada, home to Sevilla who have faded but still remain fourth and away at Malaga who beat Barca.
The Catalans have held their nerve more often, Messi edging Ronaldo in trophies won. The reaction of the world’s best two players on Sunday contrasted, but it showed how much it meant to them.
Messi won the game, but the league is in Ronaldo and Madrid’s hands.
Players of the week
• Lionel Messi was excellent for Barcelona, but goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was also sublime in the clasico, making 12 saves — the highest for a Barca keeper in 14 years. His opposite number Keylor Navas also performed well. Marcelo was Madrid’s best outfield player, while Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba also shone in Barca’s best win of the season.
Games of the week
• Deportivo La Coruna v Real Madrid on Wednesday is the one to watch. But there is a Basque derby between out-of-form Alaves and eighth-placed Eibar tomorrow. Also Wednesday, Valencia — who have the best form of any team outside the top three — are at home to Real Sociedad who played very well to defeat Deportivo at the weekend and remain in a European spot.
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