El Clasico Build-Up: Barcelona's Lead-In To Real Madrid's Visit

As we close in on arguably the most highly anticipated match in world football, one has to say that there is not nearly as much pressure resting on Barcelona’s shoulders as the prepare to welcome Real Madrid in just over a week's time.

Having won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League to complete an historic 'triplete' whilst doing the double over Los Merengues last season (2-0 at the Camp Nou and the now famous/infamous 6-2 triumph at the Bernabeu) it is fair to say that even though Madrid have spent €254 million to bolster their team this summer, Barca have proven themselves and come into the match as strong and established favourites.

As if the aforementioned results were not enough, Barca currently lead the league (albeit by only a one-point margin over their arch-rivals) and already won two of the six trophies available to them this season by taking home the Spanish and European Supercups. But despite the pedigree, all may not be going swimmingly for the Catalans.

While they remain domineering as ever in La LIga, most recently beating an otherwise competitive Mallorca side 4-2, and comfortable as always in the Copa del Rey (Madrid failed to score the necessary five goals in their second-leg match against Alcorcon; Barcelona scored five in a span of 25 minutes in their match against Cultural Leonesa on their way to winning 7-0 on aggregate), the same sort of success cannot be seen in the Champions League.

Currently in third place in Group F with five points, Barcelona are levelled with second-place Rubin Kazan and one point behind group leaders Inter. For Pep Guardiola’s men, this is unfamiliar territory as, even though they have exhibited thrilling football in their Champions League outings, they have been unable to secure the necessary points to reflect that dominance. These less-than-ideal results now make life a bit more complicated for Barca as we head into the week before El Clasico.

Taming The Lions

On Saturday, they travel to the tricky San Mames to face Basque lions Athletic Bilbao, a match in which the hosts will be very keen to atone for their Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercup defeats.

To avoid conceding points and losing top spot in the league to Madrid ahead of El Clasico, Guardiola will likely have to field a strong line-up, as he will know first hand just how difficult and demanding it is to go toe-to-toe with Los Leones up north. 

Messi struggles to stay on his toes against Athletic

But things heat up even more in midweek as next Tuesday, Barca host Inter at the Camp Nou in a pivotal Champions League clash that could determine who will emerge as the Group F winners.

However unlikely it may be, should Barca lose to Jose Mourinho's dogged Nerazzurri, they could find progressing into the knockout phase of the Champions League a near impossibility. Again, Guardiola will be forced to call upon his strongest troops for Tuesday’s match if he wants to avoid a possible embarrassing early exit and hope that the fact that his starters will have one more day’s rest than Los Blancos will give his side a significant advantage.

The final potential hiccup comes in the form of injuries. So far, there are no significant concerns yet as their big guns such as Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Dani Alves, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets all came through the international break unscathed. But with two massive games up ahead, anything can still happen.

Bruises And Blows

For the moment, Barca will receive even better news as Gabriel Milito has finally made his return to football after nearly a year and a half out with serious knee injuries. However, Eric Abidal has picked up a knock with the French national team that could see him miss El Clasico.

Maxwell, who has provided depth to the position by filling in nicely at left-back, may have his hands full with the likes of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos and the fact that Guardiola has used the Brazilian sparingly in the first team could serve as a weakness in such a high-pressure match.

The Blaugrana could be physically and psychologically zapped by the time their rivals from the capital roll into town. The trip to Bilbao could leave some of their key players with a few notable bruises, blows and bloodied noses, while the showdown with Inter will require every ounce of concentration, discipline and mental strength.

Big Ibra tries to dance around Walter Samuel

However, the Catalans have been in this boat surrounded by the same sharks in the water before. Last term prior to their visit to the Bernabeu, they had to negotiate the sequence of death when they came face to face with Sevilla, Valencia and Chelsea in the space of six days.   

But one thing about championship teams is that they know how deal with adversity. Barcelona are now a championship side five times over. while the core of their team have gone on to win the Euro 2008 championship with Spain.

If there is a team in Europe that is prepared for the pressures that come with winning trophies, it is Barcelona. With the match being played at the Camp Nou to top it off, injuries, tired legs and shattered confidence will mean nothing and it is difficult to imagine a scenario as we head into El Clasico in which the Blaugrana would not be the favourites.

Cyrus C. Malek, Goal.com