Real Madrid Looking Good Ahead Of El Clasico

Real Madrid C.F. demolished Leonesa at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu 6-1 on Wednesday thanks to goals from Enzo Zidane, James Rodriguez, an own goal from Cesar Morgado and a hatrick from 23 year old Mariano Mejia. Zinedine Zidane and his charges have been in scintillating form this season leading La Liga by six points. FC Barcelona has been on a disappointing run domestically with three drawn matches in games against Malaga, Sociedad and Hercules leaving them with a much needed win against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou to be able to break off a disappointing run. With a number of stars out of the clash particularly Gareth Bale, how are the two teams coming into a match that determines how close the race for Liga title would be or a surprising runaway lead for the away side?

Luis Enrique has said that the performance of Barcelona at the Anoeta is the worst performance he has overseen as head coach of the club. Barcelona seems to be playing well but the goals are not coming. Around this time last season and with an injury to Lionel Messi; Neymar and Suarez carried the team on their shoulders and their goals collectively powered Barcelona to the title and helped Luis Suarez break Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s six year run as Pichichi winners.

This time round without Messi the team’s performance have been sub-par and against Malaga where Messi and Suarez was out of the match day squad many questions were raised particularly if Neymar could be the main man at Barcelona after such a disappointing performance. Luckily for Barcelona, the front three would be present when they host Madrid at home. With Iniesta recovering, Barcelona has options in midfield where they can choose from the start of the game and in the course of the game with the likes of Andre Gomes, Denis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Arda Turan and Sergio Busquet all at the disposal of Luis Enrique.

Would Zidane and Real Madrid Extend Unbeaten Run

Zinedine Zidane’s fairytale with Madrid has been spectacular. Zidane has been at the helm of Madrid since February and has seen some of the best winning streaks in the club history. Aside that he has also broken Atletico Madrid’s dominance in the league smashing them three goals at their own backyard.

Zidane would have to deal without the services of Gareth Bale but one of the best defensive midfielders in Casemiro returns to the team to help solidify the midfield ahead of the El Clasico. Madrid’s all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo has had an on and off season but the international break seems to have provided the magic the forward needed. His last five goals have gotten the six points that Madrid leads the table with and which Barcelona trails.

El Clasico has provided some of the greatest displays in the history of the game and Ronaldo and Messi have featured in some of the greatest games in football history. The race for the Pichichi is also up for grabs with Ronaldo’s latest five goals in two games giving him a slight edge over Messi but El Clasico is a game that both players love to play. Cristiano won the last El Clasico for Madrid and Messi has failed to score in the last five matches of the Clasico but would he finally get a goal and end this run.

Barcelona hosts Real Madrid C.F. at 7:15AM PST on Saturday December 3, 2016.