Preview: Spanish Champions in Barcerlona

This might not be the biggest derby match on my calendar but come Sunday it will be undoubtably be the biggest match in the world... on Sunday that is.

“No. Not at all”. That’s what coach Jose Mourinho said when CNN World Sport Anchor, Pedro Pinto asked him if Sunday’s El Clasico was a must-win match for the champions, even if Real are currently eight points behind Barcelona.

That sly old fox Mourinho knows that going ELEVEN points behind Barcelona at any stage of the season is a tall order to recover from. So what he is doing is taking the pressure off his squad and easing the backlash if infact they do come short Sunday.

What I'm pleased about is that for a change the home side are not overwhelming favorites for this weekend’s clash at the Camp Nou. Yes they have 100% record in the League this season but the Catalans for me haven’t really hit their straps, and more significantly they have serious problems at the back.

It is a distinct possibility Barca coach Tito Vilanova will have to start Sunday’s clash with Javier Mascherano and Alex Song as centre backs. Carles Puyol is out for two months after dislocating his elbow in Tuesday’s win over Benfica in the Champions League, Gerard Pique is still struggling with a foot injury, and Vilanova hasn’t given any minutes to the kids from the academy.

If that be the case, then they'll be very vulnerable in the centre of defense. As we saw against Sevilla, this is a partnership which lacks expertise and experience, and I can assure you that Jose will definitely aim to take advantage of that.

As far as Los Blancos are concerned, they will be smarting at the fact that their Portuguese superstar is setting the goal scoring pace in La Liga in comparison to Messi. Especially since the Argentine had got off to a frenzied start to his campaign, right now he has 10 goals in 10 matches and Cristiano boasts 12 in 10.

Whatever the outcome of his weekend’s Clasico, I can assure you it will be as exciting and intense as ever. For Real it may not be a “must-win” match, but in my humble opinion it is also one they can’t afford to lose.

Jade Christopher Bentley Adams (@JCBA)

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