This Wednesday is "Clasico", a nickname attributed to the match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. This essential meeting of the Spanish championship is one of the most attended in the world.
The match takes place this year in a tense context in Barcelona. Indeed, the meeting, originally scheduled for October 26 for the 10th day of Liga on Catalan soil, had been postponed because of the independence demonstrations in the region.
This evening again, the security system is greatly strengthened since more than 3,000 police officers will be around the stadium during the match.
This duel between the two big displacements of the Liga is important on the sporting level. Especially for Real Madrid which comes out of two "failed" seasons, in any case far from the usual standings (3e 19 points from Barcelona in 2018-2019 and 3e 17 points from Barcelona in 2017-2018).
The most powerful and richest club in the world (this often goes hand in hand) can no longer afford to let the championship victory slip away for the third consecutive time. There, he has the opportunity to mark his territory against a historic rival.
His start to the season has so far been quite successful. Madrid could even have taken control of the Spanish championship last weekend when Barça conceded a draw against Real Sociedad (2-2). But, uninspired, the men of Zinedine Zidane could not but draw the draw, in turn, against Valence (1-1).
The mission promises to be perilous, however, since the Merengues are moving into the lair of FC Barcelona at Camp Nou. Here are 5 key figures that allow us to better understand the challenges of this very special match.
0
It’s the number of points that separate the two clubs, tied with the number of points leading the La Liga standings: each has 35 points in 16 games. But it is FC Barcelona which holds the first place, beating its rival only on goal difference (+23 against +21).
6
It's been six duels, six "Clasico", that Real Madrid have no longer won against their best enemy. The Merengues succeeded twice in winning the draw but nothing more.
Ronaldo's departure in July 2018 for Juventus Turin did not help, the Portuguese being the 3e top scorer in the history of this match.
The last victory dates back to August 16, 2017 in the return match of the Spanish Super Cup (2-0). And you have to go back 3 years to find the trace of a Real Madrid victory on Catalan soil.
12
This is Karim Benzema’s goal number this season. The Frenchman is co-top scorer in the Spanish championship with the six-time Golden Ball Lionel Messi. Real’s No. 9 appear stronger than ever in the Madrid attack. He is undoubtedly the offensive leader since the departure of the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo.
The one who makes his eleventh season in the club is in full confidence since the return of Zinedine Zidane on the bench of the team of the Spanish capital. He will still have to be decisive to allow Madrid to win.
43
Sergio Ramos, the experienced Madrid captain, should play (you never know with last minute injuries) this Wednesday the 43e "Clasico" of his career. The central defender of Real should join the former glory of his club, Manolo Sanchis, as the most capped player in the history of this legendary match.
He would overtake, however, Francisco Gento, another of his elders, as well as the former Barcelona resident Xavi. The 2010 world champion will have the opportunity to break this record in the return match on March 1, 2020.
8
Eden Hazard, Real Madrid’s flagship recruiter this summer, has only played 8 of Real Madrid’s 16 league games. Once again, the Belgian international will miss the match following an ankle injury sustained against Paris-Saint-Germain three weeks ago in the Champions League.
Transferred for 100 million euros from Chelsea, the Madrid striker has scored only one goal since his arrival.
His return to form at the beginning of 2020 is eagerly awaited in order to be able to play for victory in the league but also in view of the confrontation with Manchester City in the Champions League.
