No matter what happens today at Camp Nou, the Clásico will go down in history as the first without Leo Messi in 16 years.
Apart from the star who scored the most goals (26) in the history of the meetings between Barcelona and Real Madrid, his PSG friend, Sergio Ramos, will be missing.
Both are preparing for the French Classic against Marseille (21:45, Sport 5).
The fact that Gerard Pique said Barça are coming "in conditions where there is competition" reflects the club's situation without the Argentine. Who would have believed that in its 122 years of history a Barça player would have to make it clear that they could give a fight to their biggest rival. But as they say these days in Catalonia, when asked about Barça: "That's what it is." And with what the team has will look for its third win this week against Real, which comes after the Champions League goal festival against Shakhtar (0: 5) and has forgotten its three games without a win, including two losses.
The difference between the groups is more than the two points that the table shows.
On the one hand, Real rely on coach Carlo Ancelotti (who never won as coach at Camp Nou) and base their hopes on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and the old link-up, which includes Luca Modric, Casimiro and Tony Cross, the young Brazilian Vinicius and the best fit player in the league, Benzema.
On the other hand, Barça rises to every game as if they are in a war for survival.
Especially Ronald Koeman, who absorbs criticism even in victories, as he was against Dynamo Kiev.
Messi.
Clasico first without him after 16 years,
Who will wake up on time?
The Dutchman, who received an extension but no insurance from President Jean Leforte, relies on his goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, on the link that combines seniority with youth (Frank de Jong, Gabi and Sergio Busquets), on Memphis Depay, and of course Ono Patti.
This is Enso Patti's first Clasico with the historic number he inherited from Messi on his back (10), and after renewing his contract he wants to return to scoring against Real, as he did a year ago, before the last serious injury.
If Patti is Barça's present and future, Vinicius is Real's.
The Brazilian comes in much better shape than Patti.
Vinicius is faster and more talented in one-on-one, but even though he has already scored seven goals this season, he is less accurate in front of goal.
After scoring against Valencia last week, Patti reached 13 goals in 34 league games, while Vinicius scored just 12 goals in 90 games.
But with the large spaces at the Camp Nou, and especially the Catalans' defense, Vinicius can dance, punish and lead Real to a victory that, if crushed, could once again undermine Koeman's chair.
Real come with a lot of confidence thanks to their game in the Champions League, but also due to the return of Florent Mandy, Marcelo, Danny Carvajal and Eden Hazard.
In Barcelona Osman Dembele, Federy and Ronald Araujo are injured, and the big question is whether Jordi Alba will be fit.
The defender is one of the most important cards in Barça's attack.
And perhaps the most expensive acquisition in Barça history, Filippa Coutinho, will emerge from the siesta.
In Clasico the rules or precedents do not matter.
Many times whoever came with the sword around her neck, won.
anything could happen.
This year is truly unpredictable.
This is a strange Clasico at Camp Nou without Messi, whose departure from tourism in Catalonia has dropped by 80 percent, and it may be the first time that Camp Nou will not be full of 100,000 fans.
But for those who come, a great show is guaranteed, also because of the good attacks (especially by Real) and the weak defenses (especially by Barça).