Barcelona vs Real Madrid
It is an eternal rivalry. One which has provided many of the biggest football games in the world over the last decade or so.
Yet, some sports betting fans will tell you the latest installment of El Clasico this weekend is inconsequential.
That, in anyone’s language worldwide, is poppycock!
The La Liga crown may have been won but a game of this magnitude is always significant.
For one thing, Barcelona are close to going through an entire league campaign unbeaten.
So far they have 26 victories and eight draws with four matches remaining –a record which actually stands at 41 league games undefeated when you stretch it back to last season – and the Catalans know that Madrid pose the greatest threat to that target.
Under the leadership of Ernesto Valverde, they have had a superb season, recovering from the summer departure of Neymar and a hammering by Real in the Spanish Super Cup to complete a league and double.
How better to complete Valverde’s first season in charge by going through the whole of La Liga unbeaten?
Then there is Andres Iniesta. A Barca and Spanish legend preparing for his final El Clasico. What a fitting send-off victory would provide.
And what of Real?
Deep down, players andfans will be sick their fierce rivals have cruised to the crown they won in style last season.
They will be sickened that Valverde has overshadowed Zinedine Zidane domestically and sealed the double as their own team has fallen short.
They will want to put a dampener on the Nou Camp party in the first match since the title was won.
Of course, there is added spice.
European champions Real will not perform a guard of honour for their fierce rivals, as many opponents do in the first match after championships have been won.
Then there is the debate about what achievement would be finer – a domestic double or Champions League success.
Zidane, quite rightly, says if Madrid retain their European crown – they meet Liverpool in the final on May 26 – both clubs will have enjoyed highly successful seasons.
While Madrid became the first club to win back-to-back Champions League titles last season, Barcelona have failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals in the last three seasons.
Domestic supremacy for Barcelona – seven La Liga titles in 10 years – against three European crowns in four for Real.
There is much to ponder. Much to debate. Much needles.
Above all, there is a great deal of honour on the line for both sides this weekend. That’s why El Clasico matters.
It always matters!
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