Wounded Rivals Fight Hardest

As the two Spanish colossi lick their wounds after a set of underwhelming performances, the appetizing prospect of beating the other at the Mestalla tonight promises fans one of the season’s most venomous encounters.

Real Madrid know all about spiteful Copa Del Rey finals following their rancorous capitulation at home to Atletico Madrid last year. 14 yellow cards, 3 reds and 3 shots to Atleti’s post lost them a furious derby after a 25-match unbeaten run against Atletico – laying the foundations for their brilliant 2013/2014 in which they’re currently 3 points above Real.

However, Carlo Ancelotti has revitalized the Madridistas. In the Copa Del Rey, their 5-0 aggregate trouncing of table-toppers Atletico Madrid showed just how much they mean business. Angel Di Maria looks confident and energetic after a dazzling night where his incredible attacking threat was on display up until the 64th minute, when Ancelotti chose to rest his incredible winger. Gareth Bale netted his 14th league goal and greatly reduced the Ronaldo-shaped hole in their attack.

Still, everything is not well at the Bernabeu. The latest chase for La Decima was almost ground to a halt by a splendid Dortmund; the lightning-quick Reus at his terrifying best with 2 goals. With Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, Real were far more toothless than their roster would suggest. Pepe made a pathetic mistake for the first goal, exposing Casillas to Reus’ wolf-like instincts. Their defence (rather shaky all season) were punished, but hung on for a re-match with Bayern Munich and bitter rival Guardiola.

Barcelona, on the other hand, come into this match with few positives. Despite averaging 76% possession in the last two matches (with an astounding 80% in their last match alone), they suffered two very predictable losses. A criticism levelled at them since the Guardiola days is now becoming ruthlessly exposed, as Messi’s saddening lack of form is no more snatching routs from the jaws of defeat. They’ve been toothless and shaky, and the fact that Neymar – despite having 14 goals – is missing open goals doesn’t bode well for the final.

Not only that, but after the Granada loss, the Blaugrana suffered abuse from their very own fans. Even the bane of Madrid, Lionel Messi, with 21 goals in El Clasicos and a hat-trick in their pulsating 4-3 victory is not firing on all cylinders. He ran only 1.6km more than – their keeper – in their loss, and is being accused of saving himself for a career-defining summer in Brazil. They need him to score if they are to win; without him, they are far weaker than a Ronaldo-less Madrid.

A red card for Ramos and 2 contentious penalties in the previous fixture provides a poisonous backdrop to this El Clasico – conditions these players seem to thrive in. They will do battle, they will display Oscar-level theatrics; they will swarm the referee. There will be cards and insults, goals and dribbles. There will be scarlet fury, and golden glory. They’re two angry titans baying for blood, and they will try to win at all costs. At any cost.

Let the game begin.