© EuroFootball.com
Today at 23:00 Lithuanian time in Barcelona, Spain, the annual high-profile La Liga football match between two of the most illustrious clubs in history, Barcelona and Real Madrid, will take place. The Spaniards respectfully call this event, which almost stops life in the cities, "el clasico." You can read the article about this derby, previously published by EuroFootball.com, here.
This always highly anticipated derby will be even more special this year, as current league leaders Barcelona are four points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid.
In this match, football experts consider the Catalan team as favorites, despite the fact that after an impressive start to the season, they lost 1-2 to Sevilla's Betis in the last round, while Real finally found their form and under new coach Mariano Garcia Remon, they beat Albacete 6-1 in the last round.
The hosts will definitely not be helped by long-term injured players Thiago Motta, Gabris, and Edmilson. It is also unclear if Ludovicas Giuly, who suffered a thigh injury, will be able to help the Catalans. However, there is good news for Barcelona as Sylvinho has recovered from a long-term injury and Carles Puyol no longer struggles with a knee injury that prevented the Spaniard from representing his country in a friendly match against the England national team on Wednesday. Defender Gerard has also recovered from a leg injury, which means Frank Rijkaard no longer has a headache in terms of player selection.
In the opponents' camp, there is a good mood prevailing: Real will be without defenders Ivan Helguera and the injury-prone Jonathan Woodgate.
Without a doubt, the biggest attention from Barcelona fans will, as always, be on the "traitor" Luis Figo. Catalan fans cannot forget the betrayal of the Portuguese in the 2000s when the now 31-year-old Portuguese left Barcelona and joined Real.
In the last season's "El Derbi" held in Barcelona, Real Madrid emerged victorious. The result displayed on the scoreboard at the end of the match was 2-1. The goals were scored by Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, and now Newcastle player Kluivert. However, it is worth mentioning that in the previous season's derby held in Madrid, "Barcelona" won with the same result, and the goals were scored by Kluivert, Xavi, and Solari.
Last ten matches: Win-Draw-Win-Win-Win-Win-Win-Draw-Win-Loss Last five home games: Five wins Last five away games: Draw-Win-Win-Draw-Loss Top scorers: Samuel Eto'o - 9 goals (top scorer in La Liga), Henrik Larsson - 3 goals, van Bronkhorst, Giuly, and Xavi - 2 goals each.
Madrid Last ten matches: Win-Loss-Win-Loss-Loss-Draw-Win-Win-Win-Win Last five home games: Win-Loss-Win-Win-Win Last five away games: Win-Loss-Loss-Draw-Win Top scorers: Ronaldo - 5 goals, Michael Owen - 4 goals, David Beckham - 2 goals.
EuroFootball.com will provide live commentary for visitors of these matches.
