El Clasico Special: Goal.com Worldview On Barcelona vs Real Madrid

El Clasico is proof that Barcelona-Real Madrid isn’t just the biggest game in Spain. It’s one of the biggest games in the world on the footballing calendar as Goal.com’s global editions share their views on this titanic tussle.

Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International:

This midweek, Barcelona responded to the hysterical voices accusing them of being a spent force with a textbook win over a defensive side. Madrid will set themselves up differently, but there is nothing to suggest that Barca don't have the depth and the invention to record another Clasico win. The wild card is Cristiano Ronaldo, but not even the Portuguese has enough to change the game in favour of his side, who have yet to truly meet their potential. This won't be their night. Barcelona will win 2-0.

Mohammed Awaad, Goal.com Arabic:

It is big match with big stars, the situation is difference than the last two Clasicos. Now Real Madrid are better and they have champions on their team. I believe that the win against Inter will not be positive for Barcelona and I feel it will make them take the match easier than it’s worth... so I expect CR9 and Kaka to seek vengeance for Madrid and win 2-1.

Amoy Ghoshal, Goal.com India:

It's the match the whole world has been waiting for as two of the biggest names of the game clash for the first time this season. Often when two top teams go head to head the defenders come out on top out but I expect the attacking players of both sides to shine in this game. This has all the makings of a high scoring encounter but I feel it will end all square. Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid.

Pejman Raahbar, Goal.com Iran:

When you read Goal.com Iran comments and see fighting between Madridistas and Barcelonistas, you feel the atmosphere of this game. I think it’s the biggest “derby” of all time, because this time you right to lose in El Clasico. Real Madrid spent millions for megastars while Barca are the European champion and they are considered best team of the world. Who will win? I wish 3-3 draw!

Hocine Harzoune, Goal.com France:

It’s the same old battle of philosophies. Barca have a system, a manner of play, and Madrid have great players, individuals who can change the face of a game at any time. The mentality will eventually make the difference but Barca are superior. Anyway, the game won’t follow the classic laws of football and that makes predictions really hard to make. Madrid will perhaps change their style and play more directly, on the counter for instance. They do have the weapons to make something at Camp Nou, even if Barcelona are years ahead tactically. I see a 2-2 draw.

Fabrizio Ponciroli, Goal.com Italia:

I have no doubt… I think that Real Madrid will win! Barcelona are a great team but this time, they will suffer a bad defeat. I think that Cristiano Ronaldo will be decisive. He wants to return to dominate La Liga... I do not expect an enjoyable game. I do not think we'll see much great performance on the field. Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid.

Michael Paterakis, Goal.com Greece:

No doubt Barcelona are at the moment the best team in the world. If there's one club who can stop them in a head-to-head battle that would be Chelsea (for many tactical reason) and not Real Madrid. Okay, they had some bad results recently, but against teams who didn't stare them in the eyes, rather tried to secure mostly a draw. Madrid will not do that. They will go for the win and I'm afraid they will pay for it. Barcelona will beat Real Madrid 3-1.

Tommy Vaneldik, Goal.com Netherlands:

Barcelona have the better team, they have a clear style and all the players know what to do on the pitch. At Real Madrid, it's hard to discover their own style yet. Barcelona will attack, Madrid will defend with all their power but in the end Barça will win 2-0.

Andrea Canales, Goal.com USA:

Barcelona have the team concept down, but rarely do they meet a team as with the combination of motivation and capability as Real Madrid. The Madrid crew have losses to avenge and the talent to back that plan of redemption. Effort and skill in spades are a lethal combination. I expect Barcelona to get stung, but the loss will be close. Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid.

Ramon Ram, Goal.com Germany:

Barcelona gained a lot of confidence against Inter. Guardiola has introduced a winning-mentality in his squad. Whenever it matters, Barca seem to be at their best. Against the arch-rival they will show why they are the reigning champion of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League. Real Madrid won't stand a chance, despite being the current leaders of the championship. It won't be a trashing like last year, but a comfortable win for the Catalans 3-1.

Hyunmin Kim, Goal.com Korea:

Real Madrid have reached their peak as soon as CR9 had returned. Moreover Madrid finally recaptured 1st place in La Liga from Barcelona, who only drew at Athletic Bilbao last weekend. However Barca also turned down the gloomy atmosphere after defeating Inter at the very right moment, showing a fantastic performance. It’s been so hard to predict the result of El Clasico historically. Moreover both of them are at high spirits at the moment. In this competitive situation, I expect that home advantage would make difference so that I think Barca would win with 3-2 score.

Andre Baibich, Goal.com Brazil:

El Clasico is probably the most exciting match in club football today not only because of the stars that play for both teams, but also because of the attacking philosophy on both sides that can make it a very enjoyable game. I'm looking forward to a lot of goals and chances on both sides of the pitch. Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, closer to the battleground, our roving reporter, Ashish Sharma spoke to both sets of fans on the streets of Madrid and Barcelona and the mood ahead of the game could not be dramatically different.

BARCELONA SUPPORTERS

Anna  

We always say it’s the clash of the century and this year it’s more special because we have the media personalities. If you have the players fit you have Messi versus Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic against Kaka. 

I saw Madrid as favourites before I saw the Inter game but now I think Barca will win. We saw them win without Ibrahimovic and Messi I think the score will be 2-1 to Barcelona. I think Ibra and Iniesta will score and also Ronaldo. 

Henri 

It’s a really important game because it’s a symbolic game. You have to win the Clasico if you are Barcelona, but I don’t think it’s a decisive game for the league because there are still many more games to play.  

I think this is more important for Real Madrid. Okay, they are first [in the league table] but they have convinced no one at the moment, because they have not played very well. And after the win for Barca against Inter, I think more pressure is on Madrid than on Barca. I think Barca will win 1-0.

Jordi 

My mind changed after the Inter game. Before I thought Barca were not playing so good. They had no rhythm like they had last season. I know Madrid is also not playing well but they keep winning. But after the Inter game I saw the Barcelona of last season. They were moving the ball very quickly, they had rhythm and they had pressure… and without Messi! 

This is an important game for us the fans but it’s not important for the league. The worst case for Barca is we lose and we are four points behind. If Madrid lose they are only two points behind. Last years after we beat Madrid… they won 18 or 19 games together so it’s not important. The score I think maybe Barcelona will win 2-0 or 3-1.

REAL MADRID SUPPORTERS

Federico 

I think it’s going to be a very interesting game. It’s a major derby in Europe because Spain is very famous now with all the big stars of Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo who is back now so it’s the new Real Madrid against a grand fabulous Barcelona. 

I am not worried for my team, Real Madrid because I think in these games, anything is possible in a Clasico. It could 5-0 or a 0-5… anything is possible but the return of Cristiano Ronaldo is very decisive. But don’t ask me for a score! I don’t want to tempt anything! But I don’t think it will be a 0-0 draw. 

Elena 

Something has to change in Real Madrid obviously. After watching Barca and Madrid I think its impossible that we can win. It’s very important that Cristiano Ronaldo is back and if Kaka is okay, then we have a chance but if not then I don’t know… it could be awful.

It’s a nervous time when the two teams are both equal and anyone can win but I think today I feel nervous is that I am very worried that we could be humiliated over there. I know we have great players now like Cristiano and Kaka, but the problem is we just don’t have a game plan and a way of playing… and I think we will lose, but I don’t know the score. Sorry! 

Sebastin  

I think Barca has a better team but more important is that they play as a team. Madrid has some great players but we don’t play as a team and Barcelona has a hard team.  

We are used to big players in these games. We had the Galacticos team also not long ago with Ronaldo, Zidane, and yes now again it’s similar with Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Kaka. Oh if you ask me for the score after this [Wednesday’s] game against Zurich, I have to say I think Barcelona will win 3-1.

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