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Barça players celebrate a goal against Madrid last season- www.independent.ng
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The euphoria of
a local derby win gives bragging rights over anything else for the fans involved.
Getting one over
your local rivals does a world of wonders for any football club; it sets confidence sky high and creates
an ecstatic buzz with the fans around the city. Although there are some eternal rivalries that go beyond
geographical boundaries, a more serious matter of greatness and ego.
A tense
atmosphere fills the air in Spain as El Clasico kicks of this sunday, a much talked about game for generations as the biggest in the country - in the world even-, Barcelona and
Real Madrid clash in one of the hottest and most famous rivalries in world
football.
Passion,
determination, goals, controversy, heart break, flair, grit, legends, and the
planet’s finest; this fixture has served it all.
There’s a
different feel to it this year without two of the very best ever as Leo Messi
unfortunately misses out due to a fractured arm that he sustained in Barcelona's 4-2 victory over
Sevilla last week. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, has jumped ship for an Italian
adventure at Juventus.
You could argue
that it’s a game set to be played by mere mortals for the first time in over a
decade but take nothing away from this season’s first installment at the Nou
Camp.
Every Clasico
usually makes for a thrilling spectacle and has a lot riding on it given
careers and successes are gauged on this game so it’s finely poised for either
team.
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| A typically fiery El Clasico- Getty Images |
A win for Madrid would revive their ailing season and save under-fire boss Julen Lopetegui after a recent run of six winless games. Barcelona would find added motivation (like any more was ever needed for this game) from wanting to remain top of the table and grabbing a win for their stricken captain, Messi.
Form usually goes out the window in these clashes that are
determined by fine margins and mental strength, essentially who wants it more
after the psychological and emotional battle.
The fans offer all the energy in these clashes. I noticed a raucous Bernabéu crowd in full voice during Madrid's 2-1 win at home to Viktoria Plzeň in the Champions league on tuesday night and could feel they were getting themselves and their team ready for the derby.
It’s a new Era
for The Clasico - and in Spain altogether – and it’s tantalizingly set up for a
new contender. I’m excited to see a Coutinho or Isco step up to the plate for
this one.
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| Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates- Kaizer Chiefs twitter handle |
Its derby
weekend in the South African Premier Soccer league with the Soweto Derby, one
of the most fiercely contested matches in African football, taking place at FNB
stadium in Johannesburg.
Third placed
Kaizer chiefs host second placed Orlando Pirates and recent history has seen
the sides share the spoils on numerous occasions but expect goals, thrills and fun for this one.
Kaizer Chiefs
Manager, Giovanni Solinas, who will get a taste of the Soweto Derby action for the
first time, will look to steer Amakhosi to a first derby win in seven games and is
sweating on the fitness of six key players for Saturday's game as Khama Billiat and Leonardo
Castro, a lethal strike partnership from their time together at Mamelodi Sundowns, are injury doubts with Lebogang Manyama, who broke his elbow in a car accident
last week, definitely ruled out.
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| Luvoyo Memela (L) celebrates his goal in the 3-1 win last season with Mpho Makola (R) for The Bucaneers - Indipendent Media |
The Amakhosi manager sets his team up with so much attacking intent and he’s expected to take the game to the Bucs, but again, these clashes are defined by the smallest of details and the fans are set to play a vital role, as usual, in the derby.
About 82,000 tickets had been sold out eight days before the game which tells you how much South Africa and the world is looking forward to this game really.
With the
emotions running high and that anticipation of a big game up in the air within
the cities, good luck to the titans as fans look up to new fairytales and heroes.
On another note,
congratulations to ES Tunis of Tunisia and Al Ahly of Egypt for making it
through to the CAF Champions league final. Another huge African clash and a repeat of the 2012 final which Al
Ahly won. The first leg is set to take place on November 2nd with
the secong leg coming up a week later.
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