On Sunday morning, we were privileged enough to witness the first installment of the 2013/14 season’s El Classico, live from the Camp Nou. And what a spectacle it was.
Barcelona – the team that does football so, so right – outclassed and out-muscled Madrid’s marquees.
But see this fixture is more than just a football match, it’s more than just a match between the two biggest and sparkliest clubs in world football.
This match means so much to the Spanish people, especially those who reside in Catalonia and those who lived under the torturous conditions of Francisco Franco’s tumultuous regime.
There is a saying, you should never mix football and politics, but it’s hard not to when the club and supporters of Catalonia were so heavily strained and affected by the politics of General Franco.
This fixture has enough spite, enough history to be labeled the most politically-spited in world football.
The spite was there as early as the 1930s, when Barcelona developed an ‘us versus them’ mentality.
They began forming themselves as a source of pride and identity for the Catalonia people, as opposed to the centralized tendencies of Real Madrid.
In the 1950s came another spiteful battle, with both clubs trying to sign Alfredo Di Stefano.
Initially he’d been on Madrid’s radar, but Barca snapped him up without permission from his then-club, Millionarios.
However, Madrid had an initial transfer agreement with them.
After a protracted battle, the Spanish FA got both presidents to agree a shared player deal – Di Stefano would play for two years at each club.
This angered the rest of the Barcelona board and caused a protest from the club’s fans, so Barca abandoned the deal and let him go to Madrid two years early.
This transfer piece exacerbated the animosity between these two clubs, which was re-visited with Luis Figo’s switch in 2000.
For a lot of people in Spain and around the footballing world, Barcelona are the rebellious club, while Madrid are the right wing club.
During General Franco’s tenure, the Catalonia people were deprived of their cultural freedom. He ensued there would only be one religion, one language and one cultural way. Anyone who went against that would be punished.
Hence the continued fight for autonomy from the Catalans and other autonomous communities.
Going back to the rivalry, it boiled over in 2011.
The El Classico was played over four times in 18 days (A football fan’s idea of heaven), but for the two Spanish clubs, this became too much.
The 2011 Copa Del Rey final saw years of political history and hatred spilled over.
That season’s rivalry had been so intense and heated, the Spanish coach Vincente Del Bosque had serious concerns the World Champion side would fracture.
I have a Catalonian background, hence my heart will always favour Barcelona, even though I don’t actually support the club.
They not only play beautiful football, but they produce their own crop, rather than steal everybody else’s. Their academy is one of the best in world football.
My favourite footballer of all time, Xavi Hernandez, is the walking ideal of what Barcelona are all about.
And I personally can’t wipe the smile on my face after watching Barca dismantle Madrid.
Neymar was sublime, Xavi/Iniesta were their typical dominant tiki-taka selves. But it was the Chilean Alexis Sanchez who stole the show with a delicious, sublime, mouth-watering goal in the late stages of the match.
This El Classico may not have been as feisty and heated as others, but this fixture is still referred to as the Spanish Civil War.
Long may the heat continue, because it’s not just points that this game ensures, it’s autonomous pride, and a salute to their past fights.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Cheers Zee. By the sounds of it Ozil was sold to balance the books but to also make room for Isco who is very highly rated. Then Ancelotti didn't even play him on Saturday!?
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Yep you right mate. I think things in Glasgow slowly getting better, takes time but we'll get there!
ciudadmarron
Guest
Yes we did Steve it's all slowly coming back.. :lol: I do not in any way dispute that, as you put it, "to everyone their own local derby is the fiercest". This is why I wouldn't take the tenner! As Zee has shown, a personal connection will most likely increase the feeling. And in the interest of not offending anyone through comparisons - seeing as all of these rivalries have at one stage or another resulted in the loss of life - I won't persist with the line of argument either. There is an organisation in Glasgow I believe dedicated to getting rid of sectarian violence and over the years it's getting better all the time - here's hoping that as time goes on in all of the derbies discussed it does mostly become about the football.
Zee
Roar Guru
I read that yesterday, enjoyed it and agreed with it mostly. I am a massive Gareth Bale fan, like massive. I would literally wake up to watch Spurs simply to watch Gareth Bale play football. Extreme I know. I agree with your points re - his handling of the transfer situation. Perez is a prick, he has no sense of what's good for a club and takes no interest in what the manager wants. Its whatever sells shirt. TBH I think Madrid really screwed it all up by selling Ozil, and getting Bale. There was no ever guarantees that a PL will succeed in La Liga. And I know its early on but it looks to be the case so far. But I think if any player can turn this around its Gareth, from a Nursing perspective this injury is one niggly bastard, he should sit out for a bit, get it sorted and get his mind sorted. He is still living in the hype, as soon as he gets himself and his injury sorted, we Will see the Best of G.B, and I cannot wait, I miss his scintillating runs, his outrageous goals that he has no right scoring, and his love heart celebrations. With that saying, Barcelona dominated Madrid throughout that entire match. The magic of Messi is he really doesn't need to play brilliantly for 90 minutes, because he is just that good. Neymar was fabulous, but the control came from Xavi/Iniesta and Buesquets. Great article overall, touched all the bases, and was very glowing on Barca's part
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
True, Bilbao is pretty special in that regards. Always had a soft spot for Deportivo myself, primarily as I'd like to go tramping about Galicia more than anything else. Guess I'll have to cheer on Celta de Vigo instead.
Zee
Roar Guru
Thanks Steven. I tend to let my bias and emotions spill into my writing, I think one of the main reasons I could never take it up as a profession.
Zee
Roar Guru
Barca had to do so to grow. Why do you think they are what they are, and Bilbao aren't what Barca are? In Football today, clubs need to adapt. Its only natural. Bilbao make remain as the 'Pure' example. But Barca are the Modern day example, they show the rest of world football how to balance the two. 64% of their squad are Catalans, not to mention the others who have climbed their way through La Masai throughout the years. Many of Barca's most famous lads, are the Catalans. IMO. They are the footprint of the club, its fine to bring in the sparkly marquee's, as long as you promote within.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
And as a Bara guru, what did you reckon on my article on Bale!? Interested to hear your take........
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Powerful words and emotion as you say Zee and great to hear. Was a very though provoking article at the outset also as all of yours usually are.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Ben, I agree with you it is admirable. But I also think it is about the depth of quality that has come through the academy at any given time. They've had an outstanding crop so they are happy to pick from La Masia and it is testament to what a wonderful institute it is. However........ Bilbao will play locals regardless whereas Barca will 'outsource' if required. That is also why they are far more successful as they can adapt.
Zee
Roar Guru
The story of the Yugoslav teams are intense, I've just gotten into the war, the break up and the effect it had on sport, its a surreal story, one that hits you hard.
Zee
Roar Guru
I agree. Each to their own, hence the reason for this article. My own, my tale. My first time I went to Camp Nou was when I was 7 y/o with my Abuelo. It was intense, the atmosphere was volatile and you wore a Catalonian flag to shun the scum from Franco's land. History never leaves one, and the stories of his regime, and my mother's side's suffering has always been embedded to us. Even as a United supporter, nothing brings me more pleasure than beating Madrid, each victory brings heals a wound for the Catalonian people. Football is that powerful
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
SVB you make a very good point there. The rivalries in Belgrade and Zagreb were equally vicious. Just looking at the atrocities in the Bosnian War on both sides, possibly even worse although I don't know enough to make any informed comment and I would hate to offend anyone. I do think however you are spot on in terms of their importance to the people involved, it means everything. Souness at Rangers was very very interesting. He admitted afterwards that he signed Maurice Johnston for the very reasons you said, to break the mould and also out of a sheer sense of mischief (MoJo had been pictured in a Celtic shirt a few days earlier ahead of his transfer). That being said it didn't really do Souness any favours at Rangers - although he was bullet proof regardless - as the depth of feeling was so intense. Fans who had been fans for generations burned their season tickets and some to this day have not been back. You would of course argue that the club is better off without such bigots and the club has moved out of the dark ages. Alternatively you could argue that clubs are stronger for this depth of feeling but I think that's a harder sell personally.
SVB
Guest
The Old Firm rivalry was so intense that Rangers didn't allow Catholics players of any sort at the club. I remember watching a documentary and Graeme Sounness talking about how he tried to convince the club to change their policy as it was actually hurting the club. I think it was him who eventually got his way by signing the first Catholic player. People have to remember that these were community football clubs and the politics that was going on actually represented the clubs stance on a lot of issues. It's not like some plastic franchise. When Yugoslavia was one country they had a strong league. Red Star Belgrade, Partizan, Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split were all very strong teams. The animosity was between the Serb and Croat teams simply from all the politics that was going on. I would rate these rivalries as intense as any other. Although it had everything to do with the politics and nothing to do with the football. It just shows you how powerful football clubs can become an outlet for political expression.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I remember watching a Barcelona game last year and a substitution was made and the commentator noted that all 11 Barcelona players on the pitch had been through their youth system at one stage or another. Not many clubs can claim that these days.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I think Barcelona definitely promote their juniors, even Lionel Messi was at La Masai for a long time. At the same time they've lost a couple of those players temporarily (Pique and Fabregas) so there's a huge level of pragmatism at the club also. They've also at times adopted a huge Dutch culture born out of their relationship with Johann Cruyff and then carried on by the likes of Louis Van Gaal who turned Barca into a temporary Dutch colony. They've also been happy to rack up huge transfers for foreign players such as Maradona, Rivaldo and Ronaldo. Many of their most famous players, in fact possibly most(?) are foreign, just think of those three plus Romario, Stoichkov, Koeman, Cruyff himself and a plethora of other Dutchmen, Schuster, Messi I could go on. Barca definitely promote their youth but Bilbao remain the 'pure' example. They seem almost unique to me no?
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I know a Glaswegian Celtic fan who was a Commonwealth games standard boxer, you'd want more than 10 bucks to say it to him!
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
CiudadM, I think we debated this very point a month or so ago didn't we? Whilst I would agree with you that the Spanish Civil War is possibly far bigger a catalyst than any other in football for a rivarly, I believe that AZ is right. For the Old FIrm or Istanbul or even ManU versus Liverpool the rivalry (to the people involved at least) is just as intense. El Classico gains such global attention firstly and formost because of the quailties of the two teams, that's certainly the reason I watch it, then you think about the rivalry and it makes you want to watch it even more. I think I mentioned to you before that I am currently deeply in to Anthony Beevor's book about the Spanish Civil War and whilst the stories and actions are compelling you simply cannot feel it on the same level if you are not from there. For that reason I think AZ is right, to everyone their own local derby is the fiercest, if not necessarily the most relevant to the rest of the world.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Haha I'd want a bit more than that AZ. ;)
AZ_RBB
Guest
10 bucks if you go say that to a Glaswegian.