After three Net Barça classics, the fourth triumph of Barça would allow to sculpt in stone that has produced a change of cycle. The only debate will fall to know for how long. The unknown will take to dissipate, until the next season. The draw and victory would not lengthen the white cycle; I would only extend the cycle of emotion for the outcome of the league in the next three days.
The Madrid illusion, beyond the formidable attack that it possesses but that has not been as devastating and abrasive as it was announced with The arrival of Kylian Mbappé –Whites have scored 22 goals less than the Barca boys-, resides in the favorable statistic that accompanies him as a visitor in the classics (four of five cattle). The story is fed with the greatest tiredness of Barça – the third game will be in eight days – and Barca melancholy of the defeat of Milan so that the declining Madrid of Carlo Ancelotti Cobre vigor.
Lewandowski and Bale embraced, with Iñigo on his back. / Javi Ferrándiz / Spo
The loser spirit
Feetwork does not speak, A theme that perhaps premieres Xabi Alonso next season. Ancelotti is amortized and sentenced, and the last battle is left to say goodbye with applause. It will go through the big door, yes. Real Madrid talks about the referees, the demonstration of losing spirit that has been installed in Florentino Pérez's office.
Barça de Flick, the risky defense – 33 goals embedded, the same as Madrid –a youth aroma has insufflated the season that has only accentuated the old age of its greatest rival, humiliated in the Bernabéu (0-4), vapulated in Arabia (2-5), exceeded in Seville (2-3).
Hansi Flick smiles during the press conference prior to the classic. / Javi Ferrándiz / Spo
Today's clash discusses the league, “the most honest competition of the season, in Flick's words, because the conquest the best team in the computation of the 38 days. And in that competition the Barça is in front of the Barça that previously took the two titles (Super Cup and Cup) for those who fought face to face.
Casadó, Balde, Gavi and Lamine Yamal witnessing, yesterday, the duel between Barcelona Atlètic and Andorra. / Javi Ferrándiz / Spo
Defense without discussion
“All players know that we have to be at the highest level; be active, intense, dominators,” Flick explained about what was spoken in the locker room, where it was also the disappointment of Milan. That vigor aims to keep it with the usual eleven of the last meetings. Barça recovered Alejandro Balde and Marc Casadó, It has Robert Lewandowski since Monday, but none of the three is at the same level of the headlines.
In front of Madrid, which has no greater personality than the quality of Mbappé and Vinicius, Barça will oppose its hallmarks, the most visible of which is the advanced defense. It is not in discussion despite the 14 goals embedded in six games.
“It is something that involves the entire team, not only to the defensive line,” said Flick, who first convinced the players before working and putting it into practice, like Íñigo Martínez, accustomed to defending closer to the goal. “It has adapted, has learned and has given incredible performance, and it is not easy at age 33,” said Flick, highlighting the leadership he exercises in the team. Like Szczesny, who came from Juventus, and who does not worry about seeing the defense so far at 36. “It is calmer and relaxed, sometimes smokes a little,” Flick joked.