The biggest soccer match in the world is being played at this time, with Barcelona hosting Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu for the first of two matches, as part of the Copa del Rey semi-finals in Spain.
The Blancos did stumble in their last game with a 1:1 draw in the derby, but they saw their rival lose to Almeria and somehow they ended the cycle by narrowing the points gap from the Catalans. Before that, the group from the capital of Spain dismantled Liverpool 2:5 at Anfield and all in all Carlo Ancelotti’s apprentices arrive in a positive mood for the big battle.
On the other hand, Xavi’s team is in half of Chevron, after being kicked out of Europe after the loss to Manchester United, followed by the same loss to Almeria as mentioned. The leader of the league will try to do significant justice towards the finals, or at least move the decision to her home for the rematch. By the way, the Spanish coach had to deal with quite a few problems in the squad, above all the absences of Pedri and Robert Lewandowski.
The two teams met twice this season, in meetings that showed how dynamic the balance of power is. In the first Clasico, Real swept the field en route to a 1:3 in the league, but in the Super Cup final the tables were turned, and Barcelona swept the grass even more in one of the best games since Mona Xavi, en route to their own 1:3 win.