By tf-lawyer.com Hansi Flick’s restructured league leaders are heading to the Spanish capital as equals, having emerged from the shadow of Real Madrid.
Once upon a time, there was a football match known as ‘El Clásico,’ revered as the biggest and best in the world. Fans eagerly anticipated it, believing that everything hinged on the result. This legendary encounter boasted an extraordinary statistic, with the two giants going 17 years without a goalless draw, dating back to the infamous incident when a pig’s head was hurled at Luís Figo. During that decade, Barcelona and Real Madrid combined for an astounding 125 goals, showcasing their status as the elite teams in world football.
But are they still the best? The Madrid-Barça rivalry is unparalleled, a meeting of historic magnitude, creating excitement every time they clash. Recent discussions have swirled around the notion that this weekend’s match could be the best one in memory. Yet, such talk risks overlooking the context. This match feels different; both teams seem poised to reclaim their status as the top forces in Europe, promising a closer and more competitive showdown than many have foreseen—a true clash of styles and identities, and above all, a confrontation of titans.
Madrid’s recent trophies speak volumes; they’ve secured the Champions League title twice in the past three years and six times in the last eleven. However, this matchup is about more than just recent success—it’s about rivalry, prestige, and the collective trauma of the last nine years for Barcelona in European competitions. After a series of harsh eliminations, culminating in an 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in 2020, the departure of Lionel Messi signaled the end of an era. While Barcelona did clinch La Liga in 2023, their struggles in Europe have left them reeling, with multiple exits in the Europa League.
Last season offered a glimmer of hope as Barcelona outperformed Napoli, with Xavi declaring they had moved past being the “buffoon of the Champions League.” However, subsequent defeats, including one against Paris Saint-Germain, highlighted the ongoing issues. Remarkably, the team that finished as Madrid’s closest league competitor last season was Girona.
Since the 0-0 draw in 2019, which ended a remarkable streak of high-octane matches, the league encounters have largely favored Madrid, who have won seven of the nine subsequent clashes, including a decisive 4-1 victory in the Spanish Super Cup. Despite signing Kylian Mbappé, who was expected to lead them to triumph, Madrid finds itself in a surprising position: coming into this week’s clásico, Barcelona sits at the top of the league with three points clear, having won nine of their first ten games and boasting the highest scoring record in Europe.
Hansi Flick’s impact in Catalonia has been transformative. Upon his arrival, he received a handwritten letter from president Joan Laporta, expressing gratitude and outlining the significance of Barcelona. Flick has quickly embraced this ethos, reshaping the team into a dynamic force characterized by intensity, speed, and lethal counterattacks. “It’s our philosophy; we want to put a lot of pressure on the ball,” Flick explained, acknowledging the challenges of training but commending his players for their adaptability.
This season, Barcelona has caught opponents offside 62 times, more than double any other European team. Their recent match against Bayern was a high-stakes affair, showcasing their willingness to play on the edge. It’s easy to envision how players like Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé might exploit the spaces created by Flick’s approach.
When asked about his game plan, Carlo Ancelotti remained cryptic, stating, “I have something in mind. I don’t think it’s right to explain it to you today. You can see it tomorrow and then you can tell me if I made a mistake or not.” Flick acknowledged that adjustments might be necessary, but the triumph over Bayern signaled a significant shift, building anticipation for the upcoming clásico, which now feels like a return to an elite competition.
Barcelona’s resounding 4-0 victory against Bayern served not only as a testament to their resurgence but also as a motivating factor leading into the match. Just a day prior, Madrid had come back to decisively beat Borussia Dortmund, fueling excitement from the nation’s sports dailies, both proclaiming, “What a clásico awaits us!” Raphinha, who scored a hat-trick in the last match, emphasized, “Given this, it’s hard not to expect a spectacular clásico.”
As Raphinha shines, he reflects a turnaround from his prior doubts about being sidelined, previously remarking on a disrespectful fan wearing a Nico Williams shirt with his number. Now, he’s possibly the best player in La Liga, vying for the spotlight alongside Robert Lewandowski and the emerging brilliance of 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, the star of Euro 2024.
Meanwhile, Vinícius Junior is likely headed for the Ballon d’Or, having recently delivered an astounding performance himself. Joined on the podium could be Jude Bellingham, who has yet to score this season but remains an integral part of Ancelotti’s strategy alongside prolific goal-scorer Mbappé, who is approaching his first clásico.
“When you start to play football, you want to play in a clásico,” Flick stated. “This is the proper clásico. In Germany, we have some games that they call clásicos, but it’s not the same as Real Madrid vs. Barcelona.”
