Previewing a politically charged El Clasico
Bill Shankly famously said “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don’t like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.” If ever there was a game that embodied Shankly’s words it is El Clasico.
A Clasico is always unpredictable but one thing that’s for certain heading into this one is it will be the most politically charged Clasico in years.
Since the reign of military dictator Francisco Franco FC Barcelona has become a symbol of Catalan identity. Franco’s regime banned the use of the Catalan language, yet the Catalans found one place where they could express themselves and speak freely in their native tongue that place was the Camp Nou. FC Barcelona prides itself on being “Més que un club (More than a club) and passionately celebrates being Catalan.
The club stayed true to its morals earlier this season defending and supporting what the Spanish government deemed to be an illegal referendum on Catalan independence. The club issued statements supporting Catalan’s rights to vote regardless of the Spanish government’s stance on the referendum.
It all came to a head on October 1st when the polling stations opened. The Spanish government was heavily criticised for its use of military police on those exercising their right to vote. Violent images emerging from Catalonia overshadowed Barcelona’s match against Las Palmas.
The club made a formal request for the game to be postponed but the league refused. In reaction to this the gates of the Camp Nou remained closed. Members of the press along stadium staff were the only spectators as Barcelona defeated their opponents 3-0.
Real Madrid faced Barcelona’s cross city rivals Espanyol on the evening of October 1st. The Santiago Bernabéu was a sea of Spanish flags as the Madrid fans staged a protest against the Catalan independence referendum.
This incident alone portrays one of the many facets of this fixture.
Yesterday Catalonia went to the poll in a regional election with the Catalan pro-independence parties winning a majority of the vote. The situation remains the same, as in October and as such the players of FC Barcelona will be targeted more than ever in tomorrow’s fixture. As former Barcelona manager Bobby Robson said “Catalonia is a nation and Barca its army”.
One player who has consistently been targeted for his political views is Barca center back Gerard Pique. Pique has never stated which way he has voted in any of the independence referendums but has always advocated the right for Catalans to vote. Following the Las Palmas game Pique faced the media where he was reduced to tears describing the bloody images of elderly votes being assaulted.
Pique raised a valid point that day at the Camp Nou ‘Why can a journalist or a mechanic express themselves but not a footballer?’ He has become accustomed to the whistles and jeers he faces away from the Camp Nou and while playing for the national team. Tomorrow is just another day at the office for Pique.
Barcelona are likely to make a subtle political statement tomorrow, the warm up top the players wear this season features the senyera (Catlana flag) on the front of the shirt. Should the players wear this top they could be showing a red rag to the bull that is the Bernabéu.
Now that the background of this Clasico has been established let’s focus on the importance of the game for the title race. League leaders Barcelona sit on 42 points, 11 clear of fourth placed Madrid who have a game in hand due to their participation in last week’s Club World Cup. Los Blancos need to win this game. They have been far from perfect in La Liga this season and the Bernabéu has not been the fortress it usually is. They have drawn at home to both Valencia and Levante with Real Betis defeating Madrid in their own back garden.
Barcelona are unbeaten in all competitions since they lost to Madrid in the Supercopa de España back in August. The Catalans have had to adjust their formation to compensate for the loss of Ousmane Dembélé who suffered a thigh injury in early September. Despite having to adjust from their usual 4-3-3 formation they have continued to win. Ernesto Valverde has seemed to emphasize the retention of possession and has improved Barca’s biggest weakness defence.
Barca have conceded just seven goals in 16 league games. Credit must be given to Samuel Umtiti, the young Frence centre back was outstanding in defence for Barcelona but he will miss this fixture through injury. He has been replaced by Thomas Vermaelen who up to this point has had limited game time at the Camp Nou.
The big stars have of course helped Barcelona reach first place, Lionel Messi has scored 14 goals in La Liga this season while also providing five assists. Andres Iniesta has been at his scintillating best in midfield as has Sergio Busquets. There have been unlikely heroes for Barca this season. Since the departure of Neymar left-back Jordi Alba has thrived on the flank playing some of his best football since he joined the Catalans. Despite drawing criticism for his signing Paulinho has brought a different play style to the Barcelona midfield. The Brazilian has scored six league goals but the physicality of his game is foreign yet welcome asset to the centre of the pitch.
One player who has had a difficult season is Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan front man has scored nine league goals, low for his lofty standards. However Suarez has seen a turn around in from in recent games scoring a brace last weekend against Deportivo La Coruna. He looks to be back to his usual self just in time for a trip to Madrid.
This Clasico has all the ingredients to be one of the most fiery in years. The La Liga title race could be more or less decided by tomorrow’s result. The familiar plot of Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo will of course play out. The teams tomorrow will also represent Catalonia and Spain whether they like it or not.
