Madrid: All eyes will definitely be on Andres Iniesta as Barcelona aim for an unbeaten league record when they take on Real Madrid at the Nou Camp, Sunday. The brilliant Spanish midfielder who will be playing his last ‘Clasico’ will certainly want to end on a high, but Real will definitely want to spoil his and Barcelona’s ambitions.
“Out on the field at Camp Nou, Andres Iniesta could make his final appearance in a ‘Clasico’ after 37 previous appearances in the fixture, 25 of which have come in La Liga,” Barca said in a statement on their website. “It has been a privilege watching him in Barcelona colours.
Real Madrid know that they can transform their own season by beating Liverpool in this month’s Champions League final, and Sunday they can dent Barcelona’s by becoming the first team to defeat the Catalans in La Liga.
This Clasico will have minimal impact on the league, with Barca already crowned champions and Real’s passing interest in pipping Atletico to second place diminished by their ambitions in Europe.
Barca, in particular, have been careful in celebrating their domestic double, their players aware of the disappointment that lingers from their Champions League crash in the quarterfinals.
“The elimination in the Champions League, it hurt us because it was unexpected, it still hurts,” said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde. “But it is very difficult to do what we have done and now what are we going to do? We keep trying to finish unbeaten in La Liga.”
Real Madrid’s march towards a 13th European triumph has certainly weighed heavily on Barcelona, whose sense of absence has been heightened by the progress of their rivals.
“It’s amazing to be in a Champions League final for the third time in a row and have the chance to win it for the fourth time in the last five years,” Real midfielder Toni Kroos said, Thursday. “It’s hard for me to find words to describe that. When it comes to the Champions League, we have extra motivation.”
Barcelona are looking to avoid defeat this weekend, and in their last three league games against Villarreal, Levante and Real Sociedad to seal a historic season. However, if Real snatch a victory at the Camp Nou and also see off Liverpool, perhaps the balance is tipped in their favour.
Head-to-head (La Liga)
M Real Barca Draw
175 72 70 33
In 2017-18 (La Liga)
Barcelona 3 Real Madrid 0
