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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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Tags: Barcelona ,Kaizer Chiefs ,Orlando Pirates ,Real Madrid
