Barcelona and Real Madrid are two powerhouses in world football plying their trade week in week out in La Liga and Europe with success.
However, outside the field, they enjoy contrasting fortunes – the former is a portrait of stability and the latter is eminent for anything but constancy.
Reports of dispute and unsettlement continue to emerge from the Madrid camp, unlike Barca, a club that prides itself on home-grown talent and the camaraderie shared between players and staff.
When a player of the calibre of Lionel Messi declares that he would like to remain a Catalan for life, it provides an insight into one of the reasons behind Barcelona’s success over the years.
It’s the dedication and positive dressing room vibes that has led to a cohesive squad and is a pivotal factor why controversy has eluded the club.
Cracks might be appearing in their game, but when one of the best players in the world pledges his commitment to the club, it speaks volumes especially at a time when players are lured by clubs prepared to splash the cash.
Keeping the players aside, loyalty is shown by coaching staff as well. Former coach Pep Guardiola joined Barcelona as a 12-year-old and spent more than a decade as a senior player at the club before moving overseas, only to return to coach the Barcelona B team in 2007 and then the senior squad in four trophy-laden seasons from 2008-2012.
Current coach Tito Vilanova is also home-grown having held assistant coaching positions within the club in the recent past.
In contrast with Barcelona’s stability, the policy of arch rivals Real Madrid for years has been to snare marquee players in the quest to create a squad of superstars. Additionally, with the management expecting instant success from the squad, the coach comes under tremendous pressure.
Madrid has had seven coaches since 2005 compared to Barcelona’s three in the same period. Moreover, Barca has won a truckload of trophies since 2005 compared to Madrid’s silverware – a dismal three La Liga crowns and one Copa Del Rey.
There’s been widespread speculation of dispute within the squad recently and the ‘Special One’ Mourinho has never been under so much pressure in his career.
Reports suggest that the Spanish players in the squad feel Mourinho gives preferential treatment to the Portuguese players while Mourinho feels that the Spanish players have the support of and are protected by the Spanish press.
Superstar Ronaldo has also stated in the past that he is ‘sad’ at the club. All these indicate to signs of unrest as eventually, this can have a bearing on results as the season rolls on.
Constant shuffle of players and coaches every season isn’t going to bring in success because success doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a long journey that involves meticulous planning and hard work.
Real Madrid is a great club with a rich history in the sport, but the management needs to show more faith and patience in the entire squad a la Barcelona.
Augy Madrid
Guest
Alan, they can't. Two teams from same country can't meet in round of 16. This is so basic, shocked to see a Guru with such a silly comment.
Real Soccer
Guest
Barca is no where near Real in terms of their titles ... La Liga 21 by barca vs 32 by Real and CL - 4 and 9 respectively. My thought is -- Where was their youth system those days when Real bacame champions these many times? Barca is very successful in the recent times because they have a very good squad now. That does not have much implication on the quality of their youth system. So, what I would like to say is Real is a legacy compared to Barca's recent spark. Barca could be 11 or 14 points ahead this season, but you cannot change history. And real repeat the history again and again as it did in the past. Real could have been waiting 10 years for the 10th CL title. Barca touched the CL for the first time ONLY in 1992 and waited another 14 years for the second turn. So 10 years in CL is not a VERY long period. Actually I am a big fan of Iniesta and for me he is the best player in the current Barca squad. I think Real management has more faith in Mou than any other recent managers. Jorge Valdano --am not remembering exactly-- commented yestrday that Perez (Real's boss) is a puppet in Mou's hand.
k77sujith
Guest
I don't understand why you say Barca is nowhere near Real in La Liga and Europe...you are aware that they are currently 11 points ahead of Madrid right? Moreover, Madrid hasn't won the champs league since 2002. Both teams are competent in Europe and that's been the case for several years now. I don't expect Madrid to groom players from the youth system but they need to show more trust in the squad and that includes the manager.
Real Soccer
Guest
I completely agree with Ali. People always go with what they see currently. Thats why they talk a lot about Barca's recent success and la Masia and its greatness. Barca is no where near to Real in La Liga and in Europe. (Where was their youth system those days?) But, undoubtedly, La Masia is one of the best youth systems curretly. And ONLY currently. Apart from the stars of the current team and a few more like Pep, Luis Garcia etc. there is no more noticeable stars came out of la Masia. Let us hope it can produce more stars in future. It is like Ajax youth academy once and thats why Johan Cruyff wanted to copy it. Most of the top clubs go with Foreign/non-youth academy players because they cannot wait to get the expected talent from the youth system always and Barca has never been an exception. I cannot agree to writer's comment on copying Barca on youth academy as a solution as it is less practical. But Madrd should give more importance to it as they could reduce the expense. ..... Extra comment.... A goal keeper like Victor Valdes can only sustain in Barca even though he is far below the top level. It is the same with Pique as well.
k77sujith
Guest
Hi Damiano...thanks for your honest comments. Well, the focus here is on why Madrid haven't had a lot of success in the last few years and that's because of the constant shuffle of players and coaches. The mgmt need to be disciplined and patient in being successful a la Barca or even Bayern Munich. Yes, they are a very successful club and thanks for the figures (from wiki :)), but they haven't lived up to their billing in the last few years considering the money spent and the profile of the players and coach they have. Madrid being Madrid can win so much more.
k77sujith
Guest
No Ali, that's not wat I'm implying. I'm saying.. for Madrid to have success...they need to adopt Barca's system of having faith in their players and trust their coaches. Or in other words, they need to show patience..
Ali
Guest
Your article is implying that barca have always been this successful which is not the case. Barca have only been relying on homegrown players for the last 5 years. Before that they were buying players just like every club. I'm sick of people overrating la masia. The academy hasn't been able to produce a star player in 7 years. 7 years is a really long time and the only players that have come up to the first squad like Cuenca, and tello are so average and no where near world class.you can't give la masia credit for players like messi either because they would have been great no matter where they grew up. If la masia was responsible for him then they would be able produce messi's every year which they can't. Barca would rather use their defensive midfielders for centerbacks which they did instead of trusting one of their new upcoming players. That's a lack of faith in my eyes and shows how poor the next generation of players at barca is compared to their current squad. Barca will have to go back to buying in the future if they want to stay one of the best teams. It's already starting. I believe barca are after neymar, a non barca academy player who could be the most expensive transfer ever.
Damiano
Guest
I'm with Old Goalie on this one, that's about as good return as they've ever had in their history: La Liga[119] Winners (32): 1931–32, 1932–33, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1994–95, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2011–12 It's a stupid statement, and this article is just soap opera and gossip. Try harder.
k77sujith
Guest
Alan, that sounds tantalizing but coming back to the main subject here...do you think Madrid should folowthe Barca approach in the sense....groom a team rather than build a quick-fix team? Thanks.
Alan
Roar Guru
Interesting to see who Real Madrid get in the knockout stages of the Champions League given that they finished second. With Barcelona also topping their group, it could very well be Barca - Madrid in a huge round of 16 tie!
k77sujith
Guest
Exactly Justin...also considering the amount of money spent in the last few years...
Justin Cormick
Roar Guru
You might be happy if you won three la Liga titles, but I bet you Madrid are not happy with that. A club with such a rich history will expect themselves to be wining more.
k77sujith
Guest
Hi Goalie...for the kind of players and squad they have....it is diappointing, isn't it? Moreover, no champs league titles since 2002. We are taking Real Madrid here :).
Old Goalie
Guest
3 la Liga titles in 7 years dismal? You don't know what you are talking about