FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF
Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
19 March 2023 | 4:00pm | ESPN+

The much anticipated week for footballing fans is here.  That’s right, it’s the return of none other than…….Ted Lasso!  Haha, but with all seriousness, whilst many of us are excited for the long awaited premier of season 3 of Ted Lasso, the Emmy and Golden Globes award winning show, it’s El Clasico that takes center stage this upcoming weekend!  Whenever Barca and Real take to the same pitch, fireworks are sure to fly and the sub plots always adds to the spectacle.  This match is without exception.

Perhaps the biggest sub plot since the second legged Copa Del Rey tie from 13 June 1943 is the match fixing corruption scandal that’s currently facing FC Barcelona. Highlighted by an article from GOAL, back in 1943 Madridista General Franco allegedly instilled military pressures upon FC Barcelona’s squad prior to the match.  As a result, Real Madrid not only turned around a 3-0 deficit from the first leg, but absolutely embarrassed their arch rivals with an 11-1 second leg victory.  Given the political climate and immense power and influence that General Franco possessed over Spain at that time, nothing was ever officially reported.  However, the article from GOAL mentions the interesting fact that Real supporters rarely speak of this match, despite it being the largest margin of victory for either side in the rivalry.  That silence speaks volumes, I’d say.

Fast forward to today, and FC Barcelona find themselves in a scandal of epic proportion, and one that will neither be glossed over nor largely forgotten about, unlike that of 1943.  Rather, these implications of impropriety involving Barca and the former head of La Liga officiating is likely just the tip of the iceberg.  In addition, Real Madrid has announced that they’ll be appearing in proceedings of the case once the judge opens it up to the “injured parties”, meaning that Real will have access to all documents obtained in the case.  And since these alleged egregious acts were against the King’s club as opposed to Franco’s which was in favor of Real, the allegations will like bear fruit of consequences to that of Barcelona, one way or another.  For expample, despite the case being outside the statutes of limitations, La Liga President Javier Tebas is now considering a points deduction against Barca, which would, of course, result in Real Madrid moving into first place and likely winning the league title for a record extending 36th time.  Thus, we once again have a politically charged El Clasico commencing this Sunday.

As for the product on the pitch, Barcelona has been playing with fire this season despite possessing a nine point lead over Real in the league table, as indicative of the nine 1-0 wins so far this campaign.  But there’s something to be said for grinding out wins instead of succumbing to late game pressures and ultimately dropping points like Los Merengeues.  At the fore of Barca’s success has been recently named fourth captain, goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.  The German international has been simply sublime this season and is on pace to break the La Liga record for most clean sheets in a single season.  The record sits at 26 clean sheets and Ter Stegen has 19 through 25 matchdays.  Also, Barca has only allowed eight goals in those 25 fixtures, a record for this stage of the competition.

On the flip side, Madrid’s offensive production has been highly inconsistent this season.  Vinicius Jr was shut down by Ronald Araujo the last two times these clubs faced off, resulting in Barcelona victories.  Thus, this’ll be a major matchup to watch, because as Viny Jr goes, so does Real’s offense.  When he’s able to run in-behind the defense, that creates the space needed for current Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema to get the ball and score goals.  In addition, it makes life easier for either Rodrygo Goes or Federico Valverde on the right flank, because the entire defense begins to shift towards the left, towards VJR.  But when Vinicius’ play is mitigated, then the front three’s movement stagnates and it’s production dries up.

LSB Prediction

Since this match will be at the Nou Camp, we won’t be seeing fake bills with the Barca logo on it and writing that says “mafia” being thrown onto the pitch, unlike last Saturday’s fixture at the San Mames.  Rather, I expect a passionate Cules crowd, with many waving Catalan flags in support of FC Barcelona and the autonomous state of Catalonia as a whole.  In addition, it’s likely that Barca will be sporting its Seneyra kit, seen almost as much of an act of defiance towards Madrid as it is simply in support of Catalonia itself.  Man, I wish I could be in attendance for this one.  The play on the pitch will be intense.  In the end, Ter Stegen will come up with multiple key saves, and Lewandowski will score twice en route to another Barcelona victory.
FC Barcelona 2 - 1 Real Madrid CF