LA LIGA NEWS - El Clasico Special 09/10

The world of Spanish football is whipped up in a frenzy of white, red and blue. Front pages are washed in pictures of Ronaldo, Messi, Casillas and Xavi. El Clasico has arrived. On sunday evening all eyes will be fixed on the Camp Nou as Barcelona and Real Madrid  cross swords at the summit of La Liga. The weeks press has been full of the usual bravado and mindgames. Cristiano stated how he wants to stick ten  past the Catalans and that he wouldn't sign one player from Barca; ambitious and a lie. Piqué keeps harking back to last years triple; predictable. Dani Alves reckons Real Madrid are placing all their eggs in a CR9 shaped basket; most probably true.

Last seasons humiliating 2-6 demolition job has Real Madrid fans and players foaming at the mouth. Revenge is the order of the day. Barcelona are still smarting from being overtaken in the league last week, they didn't see that coming. Iker Casillas joked how he can only see Barca from the comfort of his rearview mirror. He should enjoy it while he can, because for all their efficiency in griding out results and for all their individual class, a convincing win for the Guardiolas men is where the smart money will be heading.

If the reports are to believed, Manuel Pelligrini is going to sacrifice Gonzalo Higuaín for Karim Benzema. What the Chilean is proposing is footballing suicide, and you can only imagine the reaction from the capital if this mindless decision is followed by another Barca rout. His team have performed a miracle in overtaking Barca in the league without their Portuguese record signing, and they deserve an enormous amount of credit for doing so on the back of some incessant pressure from outside the club. But with Ronaldo having only just recovered from his 56 day injury break, it will be asking too much for him to lead Florentinos new band of galacticos to a debut Camp Nou victory.

If Real Madrid are to stand a chance, Higuaín must start. They need Kaká to step up to the plate. The Brazilian star has largely flattered to deceive since his big money move from Milan. They need Casillas and Pepe at their very best. If Iniesta and Xavi are given time and space in midfield, Madrid will be ripped to shreds. Lass will have to hustle and hound more than ever. And they need Barcelona to have an off-night. The last requirement is not entirely unimaginable as Barca have struggled to convert possession into goals in the league at times, especially in the first half against Bilbao last weekend. But normal service was ominously resumed against Inter Milan on tuesday.

Both teams will march into the Camp Nou with a skip in their step. Let battle commence.

For Barca fans some inspiration. For Madrid fans some motivation. Last seasons historic clasico from the Bernabeu.