As usually happens, the classic between Real Madrid and Barcelona will bring together today (Sunday), the two biggest favorites for the championship in 'La Liga', who are also two of the most expensive teams in the world.
If someone wants to buy the 22 players who will probably be in the squad, they will have to pay almost a billion euros.
Barca comes to the field of the European champions with a split personality.
On the one hand, satisfaction for the first place after seven wins and one draw and on the other hand, huge depression because she is almost eliminated in the Champions.
In front of her, Real Madrid with the psychological safety net that gives the feeling that it wins the big games and the desire to light an even bigger fire in the opponent and avenge the defeat at home (4:0) last year.
1.
War of pioneers.
Benzema against Lewandowski.
Perhaps the closest battle to what we are used to seeing with Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Both are 34 years old, 1.80 meters tall and weigh 81 kg. Oh, and both are one of the best strikers in the world.
Messi vs Ronaldo.
Classico of yesteryear, photo: I.P
Lewandowski will face Real for the ninth time after scoring six goals, four of them in one game, but for the first time he will feel what a Clasico is and a rivalry between the two clubs.
He scored 14 goals in 12 games this season and became Barca's most important player.
Perhaps too important, because the Catalans depend on him excessively.
If the Pole is a 9 who lives off the goals, Benzema is the ultimate striker who both scores and creates opportunities for his teammates.
Real fans hope to see the Benzema of last year, when he broke his record by scoring 32 goals in the league and 15 goals in the Champions League.
This season, due to injuries, he played only 9 games, and scored 4 times.
There is no better way to celebrate the Ballon d'Or he will receive tomorrow, than to celebrate a Clásico victory at the Bernabeu.
Unlike Lewandowski, the Frenchman has already played 31 Clásicos and has a resume of 11 goals and 10 assists.
And if there is a striker who can speak authoritatively about these two, it is the Brazilian Ronaldo.
One of the best strikers in history who played for both clubs said: "I dare to say that the most important player in the game will be Benzema.
I think Real has an advantage because it plays at home, but both teams play very good football."
The Brazilian Ronaldo.
Who if not him, photo: Reuters
2. What will happen to the defenses?
Conde's return is the best news for Barca.
Although Xavi would have given his kidney and the president to Forte perhaps another financial lever, so that he could return on the fourth to prevent Gerard Pique's terrible performance against Inter.
The veteran stopper knows that the coach does not want him professionally and the owner is dying to let him go, simply because he pays him about 40 million euros gross per year.
Without Araujo who is still injured, the question is whether Eric Garcia or Marcos Alonso will play.
bunion.
Everyone wants to get rid of him, photo: AFP
In Real, although they have conceded more goals in the league than Barcelona (seven to one), there is more confidence in the defense even though they will be missing the best goalkeeper in the world.
The Ukrainian Lunin played in the last four games and although he was not bad, he does not reach the level of the Belgian.
Actually, no one is Maggi, and maybe the closest in Spain is Marc Ter Stegen who this year came back to himself.
3. Battle of the brains.
With a very low winning percentage of 57 percent, Xavi is receiving criticism for the first time after the poor results in the Champions League.
Last year, the fans humbly accepted the relegation because the team was weak, but after an investment of 150 million euros last summer - this season there is less understanding.
Xavi.
Bigger than him?, Photo: AFP
Although Laporte expressed his unreserved support for the young coach, if Barca fails to win the championship in Spain and miracles do not happen in the champions that are related to Inter, the management will ask whether the Catalan football legend is capable of being a coaching legend as well.
"I understand the doubts, I know where I am.
I am also sad about what happened in Europe but I am very optimistic.
The day I don't believe I can provide a solution, I will leave.
Now I'm fine."
On the other hand, Carlo Ancelotti offers more peace and quiet.
Not only because of his style, but also of course after an amazing season in which he brought Real Elevation to lift the craziest Champions Cup in the glorious history of the Blancos.
Ancelotti.
How classy, photo: AFP
"Like every Clasico, it's a special meeting, and we prepare for it like all the other games.
It's true that they start strong in the first half and we're in the second, but I don't know if that's a factor that will have a big impact.
I won't make anything up.
Last season I tried to come up with something - and they gave me the upper hand," said Ancelotti about the game that has become Barca's only joy in recent years.
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