El Clasico: Barcelona aim to solidify run in La Liga
What's the story
The world eagerly waits as two football powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid lock horn in La Liga. El Clasico at Camp Nou sees Barca, who have already won the league title, take on the Champions League finalists Real. Third-placed Real would look to hand Barca their first defeat of the season in La Liga. Will it be a thriller? Here is our pre-match report.
'Real' way
No guard of honor for champions Barca
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane stated that the club will not uphold the tradition and give Barca a guard of honor. Barca gave Real the guard of honor in 2008. Zidane complained that once Real had won the FIFA Club World Cup, Barca did not give them the honor at the Bernabeu in December 2017. But isn't La Liga bigger and better?
On Top
Barca true masters in Spain
The Catalans are unbeaten in 41 league games dating back over a year now. Barca have sealed the domestic double this season and this is a splendid feat achieved under Ernesto Valverde in his debut season as the manager. What's striking is that they are four matches away to a complete season unbeaten in the league with Real 15 points behind them.
In Focus
Player focus: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
The world's best duo will once again head all the pre-match discussions like usual. They will be pivotal to provide their sides with the match-winning moments. Messi leads the goal-scoring charts (32) besides providing 12 assists this season. But he hasn't scored in past four El Clasicos at Camp Nou. Ronaldo has 24 league goals and has five assists to his name.
Numbers game
Stat attack: El Clasico
This is the 238th El Clasico across all competitions. Real lead Barca 95-93 in victories. Barca have not won in last three Clasicos at Camp Nou across all competitions. Real have 399 Clasico goals and need one more to reach a new landmark. Messi is the best Clasico goal-scorer with 25, Ronaldo has 17. CR7 has scored in his last 11 visits here.
Do you know?
When and where to watch El Clasico?
The biggest football blockbuster match will start at 12:15 AM. The match which is being held at Camp Nou, Barcelona, will be telecast live on the Sony Ten Network including HD channels. It can also be streamed live on Sony LIV App.