The wait for the global phenomenon, the El Clasico, is finally over as Spanish La Liga log leaders FC Barcelona clash with fierce rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou Stadium tonight.
Barcelona are currently nine points ahead of second place Madrid and will be looking to stretch their lead at the top of the La Liga to 12 points.
Reigning champions Madrid have been hot and cold this season, which has since made their title defence hopes improbable.
The El Clasico is the biggest fixture in the Spanish football calendar every season, which sees some of the biggest stars in the world take centre stage.
It goes without saying that the clasico has never been the same since the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era ended in May 2018, when the two football greats faced off for the last time. However, with Barca being accused of being involved in the corruption of buying referees, which led to Spanish prosecutors filing corruption charges against the club, the world could witness the scariest El Clasico ever.
Madrid’s recent statement weighing in on the matter has since sparked tension among the two giant clubs, which could possibly see the traditional pre-match lunch not take place between the club presidents Joan Laporta and Florentino Pérez.
Ahead of the encounter, Barcelona coach Xavi could be handed a huge boost with midfield prodigy Pedri Gonzalez set to make his return from injury. The 20-year-old suffered a thigh injury against Manchester United in their Europa League first leg of their tie, missing out in their last six matches across all competitions.
For Los Blancos, it will be a different story as Austrian defender David Alaba is set to miss the game as he remains sidelined after picking up an injury during their UEFA Champions League first-leg encounter against Liverpool at Anfield.
Blaugrana are currently sitting on top of the log standings with 65 points, while Madrid are in second place with 56 points
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