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"Sport 1" producer and football marketing specialist Augustinas Pakulis claims that tonight we will see a match that is one of the most important in the entire European club season - "El Clasico". Interviewed by "EuroFootball.com", Pakulis also predicted that the match between the "Barcelona" and "Real" clubs will end in a draw. "This is the biggest event of the club season in the world outside of the Champions League final," Pakulis stated. "It is not just a Spanish derby, not just a battle between Catalonia and Spain, but much more. No other derby in the world attracts as many viewers and media attention as this one. Especially now, when both teams are of similar strength. "As far as I remember, the last four or five 'El Clasico' matches were won by 'Barcelona', but this time it won't be as easy even at the 'Camp Nou' stadium with 100 thousand fans. The match should be very close, and it is very difficult to determine who will win. 'Real' looks very good this season and, in my opinion, not only does not fall behind 'Barcelona', but in some aspects even surpasses them." Pakulis, like other pundit Gediminas Reklaitis interviewed by "EuroFootball.com", did not emphasize the widely publicized duel between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. "They are the best footballers in the world, but they play for two teams. I doubt whether in matches of this level one person could solve everything," the speaker said. "This does not mean that Messi or C.Ronaldo will not score a goal, but for example, last season Messi in the duel with 'Real' was quite closed off and the goal was scored by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I do not think it will be different this time. Both teams have studied each other very well, both coaches are outstanding specialists, very knowledgeable about what C.Ronaldo or Messi can do." These matches are important, but Pakulis wouldn't rush to hang champion medals on the winners. "There are still many matches left. In Spain, it's not just two teams playing - I think both 'Real' and 'Barcelona' will drop points. Of course, the result is important, especially since Barcelona will still have to go to the 'Santiago Bernabeu', and it will be even more difficult there. But I don't think it will have a decisive impact on the entire championship standings," he said. "I don't like to predict, but I think it will be a draw. Maybe 2-2, although predicting is almost impossible. Both teams are equal, so it will be a tense match."
