Cristiano Ronaldo (#7) of Real Madrid
It seems improbable, but that is what the Spanish football-related media would have you believe about the first La Liga Clasico of the season, when Real Madrid visit the Camp Nou to play Barcelona on Sunday.
After a dismalâ€"by their high standardsâ€"start to the 2012-13 league campaign, Real Madrid trail Barça by eight points, having failed to win in half of their opening six games. Barcelona, by contrast, have a perfect record, having scored a league-high 17 goals in the process.
So is it over already if Barcelona win, and extend their lead to 11 points?
Defensive deficiencies
Barça have scored 17 goals compared to Real’s 12 this season, but both sides have conceded five times.
Real have had tremendous strength in defence under manager Jose Mourinho, and he will be keen to ensure that is emphasized in the remainder of the campaign. They might not be out of the title race if they lose in Catalunya this weekend, but will not be able to afford any more slip-ups thereafter.
In Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Arvelo Arbeloa they have a strong and settled defence, with just Marcelo or Fabio Coentrao to chose between for the left-back spot.
Barcelona, on the other hand, have their two most reliable defenders unavailable and will likely start the game with two converted defensive midfielders playing in front of their goalkeeper; Javier Mascherano and Alex Song instead of Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona
At the other end of the pitch, Barcelona definitely have the better quality in depth. Alexis, Pedro, David Villa, and perhaps the returning Andres Iniesta will vie for the right to start either side of the world’s best player, Leo Messi.
Messi has six goals so far this season, and for his team has scored only three goals from set pieces or penalties. With an average of 70 percent possession this season, the attacking prowess and quality of the Blaugrana has never been stronger.
Real will likely line up with Cristiano Ronaldoâ€"with 12 goals in 10 games this seasonâ€"and Angel di Maria flanking Karim Benzema. Mourinho will decide between Luka Modric and Mesut Ozil for the advanced midfield role.
The away team know they will give up the ball for spells against their great rivals, but have the blinding pace to hurt them after a quick turnover of possession, making midfielders Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira vital in getting the ball forward quickly.
PredictionBarcelona are going to win at home. They have had a great start to the season despite not playing at their highest level in every game, and will want revenge for losing last season’s title race.
Real Madrid have improved over the past two weeks and picked up a great win in Europe, 4-1 over Ajax, but to win at the Nou Camp always takes a special effort. Already trailing in the table, Real will have a lot of pressure on them which will make the task even more difficult.
Barcelona 3 â€" 2 Real Madrid.
Is La Liga done and dusted then? Not a chance. 11 points is a lot for a team to drop, but with many difficult Champions League games to play and a long, long way to go in the domestic league season, Barcelona will be far from home and dry.
The new manager has shown talent already but a much bigger indication of his prowess will come when Barça do drop a few points. Two or three games without winning brings heavy scrutiny and Tito Vilanova has yet to show how he will handle such a situation.
Last of all, no Jose Mourinho team should be discounted from a title race; the man has proved time and time again he can fashion a side to be competitive and unbeatable for months at a time when necessary.
It’s a Clasico with an extra edge, but not a season-defining one for either side.
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