Real Madrid produced an upset win over Barcelona in El Clasico. Barcelona found the first goal through Gerard Piqué in the 56th minute, but Real Madrid would come back with goals from Karim Benzema in the 62nd and Cristiano Ronaldo in the 85th.
Final score
Barcelona 1
Real Madrid 2
Despite holding a significant lead in La Liga, FC Barcelona need no motivation to win as they face eternal rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico. Join The Roar for live scores from 4:30am (AEST).
The latter stages of the season are finally upon us, and Barcelona have to pass some significant tests if they wish to secure another famed treble.
Madrid were humbled 4-nil at home against Barcelona earlier in the season. Real have improved since that capitulation, and will be keen to leave a far more positive mark away at the Camp Nou.
Perhaps of bigger concern to Barcelona however is their Champions League quarter-final tie against Atletico Madrid next week, so it will be interesting to see how much effort the Catalan giants put into tonight’s fixture given the tough tests ahead.
Of course, global sporting icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo go head-to-head in front of a global audience, so there should be no shortage of motivation.
Barcelona and Real stars such as Neymar, Luis Suarez, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez also add incredible star-power to a match-up that continues to be the most watched league game in world football.
Despite Real’s star roster, Barcelona continue to hold a definitive edge when in possession. Neymar, Messi and Suarez share a great understanding, and such chemistry will cause Real’s defence enormous problems.
Real’s frontline on the other hand is yet to develop a footballing connection that can trouble the best sides in Europe. Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo seem to operate on different wavelengths in attack, and this has cost the neo Galacticos dearly in big matches, particularly against Atletico and Barcelona this season.
In short, Barcelona remain firm favourites, given they are a team of champions that play like a champion team. While Real’s quality gives them a chance of causing an upset, Barcelona’s experience and lethal efficiency in possession should be enough to secure another close win.
Barcelona to win 2-1.
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