On Saturday in El Clasico, it was do-or-die the real deal Madrid. Ten highlights of this subject competition, a loss might have seen the staff's hopes of winning La Liga evaporate, while a win will give all of them life. Los Blancos have life, and star Cristiano Ronaldo is thank.
Playing with 10 guys after Sergio Ramos' second-half red card, genuine Madrid came ultimately back from a 1-0 deficit to beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou, with Zinedine Zidane winning his very first Clasico.
a vibrant very first half don't deliver any targets, nevertheless last half offered lots.
First it had been Barcelona's Gerard Pique who headed house the opener on 56 mins.
GOAAAAAL! @3gerardpique loses @officialpepe and SLAMS IN A HEADER! @FCbarcelona when you look at the lead. #ElClasico
— beIN SPORTS United States Of America (@beINSPORTSUSA)
Then six minutes later, Karim Benzema equalized with an attractive overhead kick.
This. is. a. G-O-L-A-Z-O! @benzema take a bow. #ElClasico
— beIN SPORTS American (@beINSPORTSUSA)
Gareth Bale discovered the net 80 minutes in but the goal was disallowed, then again the former Tottenham man arranged Ronaldo five minutes later with a basketball at the back post. Listed here is Ronaldo's objective.
GOAAAAAL! It really is in from @Cristiano. The deep Invader has actually @RealMadrid inside lead! #ElClasico
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA)
Today only seven points separate sincere from Barca, while Atletico Madrid is six things back of Barca. The subject competition in Spain is alive and well, and there are three contenders with everything to try out for with 2 months going.
Even More Clasico
REAL TIME WEBLOG
Preview
It is almost El Clasico time. Barcelona vs. genuine Madrid, Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo, leaders against leaders. Arguably the most effective derby in world soccer is defined for this Saturday with lots at risk. Listed here is everything you need to understand.
Time: April 2, 2:30 pm ET
television: beIN Sports American and beIN Sports in Spanish (flow via beIN Sports app)
What's on the line: an opportunity for Barcelona to extend its lead near the top of La Liga, as well as the last chance for Real Madrid getting back into the title fight. Barca is in first place in the league with 76 things. Atletico Madrid is 2nd with 67, and Real Madrid is 3rd with 66. A win and genuine will likely be just seven points right back with seven matches to go. A loss, and it is bye-bye toward league crown for still another 12 months. It is Barca's name to win, and beating its opponent should be a big boost to its currently good subject possibilities.
Barcelona's best player: It really is Messi, whom you probably heard about. He will intensify towards the dish and deliver in almost every online game, but especially in El Clasico. No body features scored more objectives within match versus Argentine, who has 21.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)
Real Madrid's most useful player: It's quickly Ronaldo. Ronaldo is tied for 3rd among all-time objective scorers in El Clasico with 15. If he scores when, he can pull into 3rd by himself, passing Real Madrid legend Raul.
Barca's most readily useful player perhaps not named Messi: It is a toss up between Luis Suarez and Neymar, but we shall choose the Uruguayan striker according to goal scoring. The previous Liverpool man has played in 43 suits in 2010, scoring 43 objectives. They have been from from their mind, both legs, easy, some complex. He does all of it, in which he could be the top pure striker in globe football.
Genuine Madrid's most readily useful player maybe not called Ronaldo: which is a hardcore one, and lots of would opt for Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema, but i believe it is Luca Modric. The former Tottenham celebrity is so imaginative on your golf ball and it is the engine in Real Madrid's midfield. If he gets enough of the basketball when you look at the last attacking third, look out.
Under-the-radar Barca man to look at: Defender Dani Alves. The Brazilian stepped-up big for Brazil in World Cup Qualifying on Tuesday grabbing a late equalizer against Paraguay. And, well, he sorts of knows exactly what it is like to score a huge goal inside game.
Under-the-radar Real Madrid guy to look at: Midfielder Casemiro. The younger Brazilian impressed at Porto on loan last season and is apparently getting confidence. Having made 24 appearances for Real Madrid this year, he's got his most challenging test on Saturday. Can he frustrate the fantastic Barca midfield?
Barcelona predicted beginning XI: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar.
Very first flavor of El Clásico for Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal: #ElClasico
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)
Genuine Madrid predicted beginning XI: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.
— Genuine Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid)
Barcelona will win if... It could display some thing near to what it was capable display during the last five months. Barca hasn't lost since October. Tough at the back, client in the centre and ferocious in attack was Barca's dish for success.
Real Madrid will win if... It can get two targets in the first half and leap out to a lead. Barca features scored in just about every match at home this present year, so you know they will get the web inside one. But could Ronaldo, Benzema or Bale convert early opportunities and give the group hope obtaining back into the name battle?
El equipo completo el ultimo entrenamiento antes de medirse al Barcelona #RMCity #RMClasico #HalaMadrid
— Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid)
Prediction: Barca crushed genuine Madrid 4-0 final periods. Adequate stated. Barcelona 3, Sincere Madrid 2
Desire more El Clasico?