If you’re thinking of taking one of our Barcelona v Real
Madrid packages you’re in for a real treat. The twice yearly game is without a
shadow of doubt the biggest games in club football with around 500 million
people tuning in to watch it on TV last year. But watching it on the tele just
isn’t the same as being there: because nothing you’ve seen back in England will
prepare you for the passion, noise and atmosphere of derby day in Spain.
With that in mind, we’ve put a brief history of El Clasico together so that
if you happen to get caught up in a football conversation over a ice-cold
cerveza and plate of tapas on the way to the game, you’ll have a little insider
knowledge to draw on.
More than just a derby game
People from Madrid call it El Clasico. The Catalans call it El Clàssic.
While millions of other Spainiards think of it as El derbi Español. Whatever
name you give it, one thing is for certain: football derbies don’t get much
bigger than Barcelona v Real Madrid.
Unlike the rivalry between the two Manchester clubs or AC and Inter Milan,
El Clasico goes much deeper than geography and local pride. Games between the
two heavyweights of Spanish football are caught up in an intense rivalry born
from the two club’s huge success, and by the opposing roles that the clubs, and
their supporters, played in the Spanish Civil War.
A history of success
Barcelona and Real Madrid are by far Spain’s two most successful clubs:
Barcelona have won 21 league titles, with Real 10 ahead on 31. This
unprecedented level of achievement is the main reason that El Clasico is so
keenly contested and so important to the fans of both clubs. Over the course of
over 100 years, there have been 215 derbies. Real Madrid have won 86, with Barca
just two behind on 84. Due to both club's success their rivalry extends into
Europe, where Barca have won the European Cup on four occasions with Real five
ahead on nine.
A history of political differences
The two clubs are often seen as representing different political and social
ideas. Historically Real have sided with the Spanish Nationalist cause, while
Barcelona are seen as part of the Catalan Nationalist movement.
The differing allegiances of the two clubs were at their height during the
Spanish Civil War. For many people, Real Madrid were regarded as an
establishment club and followers of Franco’s far right movement. The more
left-leaning Catalan club were considered an enemy organisation by Franco’s
government and the club’s president, Josep Sunyol, was arrested and executed by
the security police. These political allegiances remain, with Barca’s fans
still regarded as more socialist and those of Real more likely to hold far
right-views.
Switching sides: those crazy few
When you take into account the intense rivalry between the clubs and the
passion of the fans, it is understandable that not too many players have chosen
to switch between the two teams. There have been a few though, and these three
are the ones whose switches of allegiance caused the most fuss down on the
Iberian peninsula.
The di Stéfano affair
Back in the ‘50s the transfer of Alfredo di Stéfano helped to intensify the
rivalry between the two clubs even further. Following a rather botched transfer
from South America, both clubs claimed to own the Argentine’s registration.
After an intervention by FIFA it was decided that di Stéfano would play for
each club in alternate seasons. After some political wrangling and (according
to Barca at least) a little pressure from General Franco, the Catalan club gave
up their claim to di Stéfano and he became a full-time Madrid player. And to
add insult to injury, he scored twice in his first game against the Catalans
and helped Real to win the first five European Cups.
Heads up Mr Figo
When Barcelona’s vice-captain Luis Figo left for Madrid in July 2000, not
even the world-record £37million price tag helped ease the Barca fans feeling
of resentment. In fact, when he returned to Camp Nou three years later, the
Boixos Nios supporters group threw a pig’s head at him while he was trying to
take a corner. It missed him. Just about!
The other Luis
Four years before Figo left Barcelona for Madrid, Luis Enrique moved in the
opposite direction. He saw out his contract with Real before switching to Barca
on a free transfer. He went on to captain the club and scored five times
against his former employers. Real fans have never forgiven him
Barcelona v Real Madrid Head to Head
Barcelona Wins
|
Draws
|
Real Madrid Wins
|
|
League:
|
18
|
10
|
10
|
Cup:
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
Total
|
23
|
15
|
15
|
Last six meetings:
- Spanish Super Cup - 29th Aug 2012 - Real Madrid 2 - 1 Barcelona
- Spanish Super Cup - 23rd Aug 2012 - Barcelona 3 - 2 Real Madrid
- La Liga - 21st April 2012 - Barcelona 1 - 2 Real Madrid
- Copa Del Rey - 25th Jan 2012 - Barcelona 2 - Real Madrid
- Copa Del Rey - 18th Jan 2012 - Real Madrid 1 - 2 Barcelona
- La Liga - 10th Dec 2011 - Real Madrid 1 - 3 Barcelona
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