Gran Classico: Barcelona VS Real Madrid Tonight SS3

KdjaCL

Two world's collide in Spain once again on Saturday night as fans of Barcelona and Real Madrid prepare for the second 'Gran Clasico' of the campaign.

With home advantage and a whopping 11-point lead over their great rivals, Barca go into the match as overwhelming favourites.

However, Real will be doubly determined this time around - not only do Los Merengues know that their slim hopes of catching Barca rest on getting a result, but they will also be looking for a measure of revenge.

The capital club were humiliated in front of their own fans earlier in the season when a Ronaldinho-inspired Barca left the Santiago Bernabeu with a resounding 3-0 win.

The Brazilian grabbed two magical goals and even brought the Madrid fans to their feet in applause at his brilliance.

That was a bitter pill to swallow for Real and it ultimately did for then-coach Wanderley Luxenburgo who was soon ushered out the exit door to be replaced by Juan Ramon Lopez Caro who still, just about, has the position now.

Real will be able to count on the services of David Beckham who caused a scare by limping out of a training session earlier in the week, but there is still no Jonathan Woodgate.

Guti and Pablo Garcia have also been included in the squad following injury problems, but Ivan Helguera, Francisco Pavon and Carlos Diogo have all been overlooked.

Barca have injury problems of their which have prompted a defensive headache or two for coach Frank Rijkaard in recent games.

However, they have received a major boost with the news that inspirational skipper Carles Puyol will be fit to return after sitting out the last two matches against Malaga and Benfica.

Still missing, though, are Rafael Marquez, Silvinho, Edmilson, Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez, although Xavi is making excellent progress following knee surgery and will resume full training in the near future.

All eyes at Camp Nou will once again be on Ronaldinho although Real will inevitably have to keep current 'Pichichi' (league top scorer) Samuel Eto'o quiet if they are to take anything from their trip to Catalunya.

You can catch all the action on Saturday Night on Sky Sports 3.

Seeing as tho i couldnt get a lift back from Sligo i have to make do with this game tonight, it pales in comparision to Pats Sliga but still watchable i suppose.


Real are 3-1 to win on PP,
Barcelona 4 - 5
Draw 9 - 4
Real Madrid 3 - 1

Barcelona 7 - 1 500 - 1 stick a euro on that



kdjac

KdjaCL

ko in 10 minutes.


kdjac

YeatsCounty

Barca 1-0 Madrid

Carlos fouls Van Bommel which leads to a penalty (in the referee's eyes, there was definate contact but Madrid didn't think that it warranted a penalty). Ronaldinho puts it away.

Pacifico

Carlos just got sent off funny stuff

YeatsCounty

Pacifico wrote:

Carlos just got sent off funny stuff

He just can't shut up, can he? The fool. :rolleyes:

KdjaCL

1-1 superb goal from the finished fat Ronaldo:eek:

kdjac

YeatsCounty

Half time: 1-1

Madrid didn't look to be in the game until just before Ronnie's equaliser. A great finish but I think he was aided by Motta's injury which caused him to end his pursuit of Ronaldo.

Damn good game. I've seen a lot of good football this week, including the Milan vs Lyon match (which wasn't a match for the neutrals, I'll admit) and Arsenal vs Juve, of course.

KdjaCL

The ref got Fouled , brilliant!



kdjac

gimmick

Awful game. I think the sending off kinda ruined the game, as deserved as it was. Still, it matters little to Barca, they will win it anyway.

Great goal from the fat past it one though