Tonight, Barcelona can win La Liga by getting a result at home to Real Madrid. That puts us in mind of another decisive clash between the two: the May 2009 Clasico in Pep Guardiola’s first season, when Barca simply ripped Real to pieces in their own backyard.
Madrid were 19 games unbeaten heading into the game since losing at the Camp Nou, naturally. They’d won 18 of them. All the pressure was on Barca who were apparently losing their grip having managed a meagre 0-0 at home to Chelsea days earlier. But the Blaugrauna were merciless at the Bernábeu, as if they’d let Real catch up merely to set the stage for this destruction.
Braces for Henry and Messi, a centre-back double from Puyol and Piquet. 2-6 all told. The title was all but Barca’s but even that felt secondary. Their statement of other-worldly dominance over their great rivals meant much more. Days later, that tricky Chelsea tie was overcome too… in the very last second. Pep Guardiola’s definitely had worse weeks.
Tonight, Barcelona can win La Liga by getting a result at home to Real Madrid. That puts us in mind of another decisive clash between the two: the May 2009 Clasico in Pep Guardiola’s first season, when Barca simply ripped Real to pieces in their own backyard.
Madrid were 19 games unbeaten heading into the game since losing at the Camp Nou, naturally. They’d won 18 of them. All the pressure was on Barca who were apparently losing their grip having managed a meagre 0-0 at home to Chelsea days earlier. But the Blaugrauna were merciless at the Bernábeu, as if they’d let Real catch up merely to set the stage for this destruction.
Braces for Henry and Messi, a centre-back double from Puyol and Piquet. 2-6 all told. The title was all but Barca’s but even that felt secondary. Their statement of other-worldly dominance over their great rivals meant much more. Days later, that tricky Chelsea tie was overcome too… in the very last second. Pep Guardiola’s definitely had worse weeks.
