Staff Opinions: Thoughts Going in to El Clasico
We’re only 3 days away from one of the most important matches of the season: El Clasico. Our staff here at The Real Champs got together to talk about the match. Be sure to check out our friend’s at Everything Barca for their predictions on El Clasico
Alex Mcvey, Writer (The Real Champs, The Real Champs Podcast)
Madrid are on a crazy unbeaten streak that they’ll fight like hell to preserve, but Barca will ready to take some of their anger from the disappointment at Anoeta out on their eternal rivals. The match may come down to the fitness of two midfield players returning from injury for each respective side: Iniesta and Casemiro.
Having not gotten any minutes in Barca’s draw to Sociedad, Iniesta may not be up to full match fitness. Casemiro will most likely get minutes in the Copa Del Rey, but it remains to be seen whether Zidane will think him fit enough to disrupt the quick and mobile midfield trio of Modric, Kovacic, and Isco.
I’m predicting an intense 2-2 draw. Hala Madrid!
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Will Richardson, Writer (The Real Champs)
I think weather Iniesta starts or not could determine the result. With him, Barca is a force to be reckoned with and can get the ball from their midfield to their front 3. Without him on the other hand, they like a less passionate team without that excitement going forward. Playing Rakitic and Gomes is like playing the same player in the 2 CM positions: both are good but neither are great at making long driving runs past players. And I think we can all agree that neither is as good as Inesta either.
I think Cristiano Ronaldo will decide the match once again at the Camp Nou. If he scores and can bring his recent form to Barcelona, which I think he will, we should win. Don’t count Barcelona out just yet though. They are going to be on a mission after their recent weekly performances. Plus, they always bring their best vs Madrid, so we mustn’t get complacent with our lead in the table because it can quickly slip, especially if we lose Saturday.
2-1 Real Madrid
Ben Sundock, Editor (The Real Champs)
I think that Real Madrid are going into this El Clasico feeling like the better, more prepared team. As Alex said, this is a crazy unbeaten streak that the team is on right now, not having lost since February in La Liga. I expect this one to be close like all El Clasico matches but I think Ronaldo gets a winner late in the second half, much like he did last season in the Camp Nou to move Los Blancos one step closer to the league title with a big win.
I think because of this form, and the recent hot streak Ronaldo has been on, Real will get a 2-1 win over Barca. Hala Madrid
Tyler Mascarenhas, Writer (The Real Champs)
I think that Real Madrid feel like they are the best club in the world right now, and that nobody can stop them at this current moment. On the other hand, Barcelona seem distraught due to their recent performances and may have a chip on their shoulder and want to put a statement like last year’s 4/0.
I think Zizou will go with the Modric, Kovacic and Isco since they’ve proven capable of controlling matches. The inclusion of Iniesta is big no doubt, but I don’t think he’ll be big enough to cause enough of an impact due to match fitness and game readiness.
A tough 2-2 draw is my prediction