A Clasico without Ronaldo, Iniesta
Legends’ departure won’t be the only thing new when Real and Barca meet this time
MUMBAI: Spain’s El Clasico is a clash of the titanic, a collision of cultures, a battle in the war for independence and among the most eagerly awaited rivalries in world football. Till last season, it was also a meeting of the two best players on the planet.
The 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou in May saw Cristiano Ronaldo walk away from the iconic fixture but only after netting his 19th goal against Barcelona and overtaking Real legend Alfredo di Stefano (18 goals) to rise to number two on the Clasico’s top-scorers’ chart. Ronaldo’s final Clasico was his 31st in nine years at Real.
Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s archrival, also scored in that league game to stay on top with 27 goals against Los Blancos.
Ronaldo’s departure, besides the far-reaching effect it will have on Real’s potency in a match-up where Karim Benzema’s nine goals have been the only other constant over the past decade, inevitably cements Messi’s position as the rivalry’s most lethal.
Surely, the absence of Ronaldo, his menacing runs, aerial superiority and relentless goalscoring should give Barca an edge when the sides meet for the first time this season on Oct 28.
END OF AN ERA
That Camp Nou Clasico will be missing another great after Andres Iniesta, with his dazzling feet and indomitable spirit, bid farewell to Barca this summer.
But unlike Ronaldo, Iniesta’s influence on the Clasico cannot be confined to the three goals and eight assists he has produced. It must be judged by his historic partnership with Xavi Hernandez and Messi. The ‘holy trinity’, as they were nicknamed, formed one of, if not the most fluid linkups in football. Between Messi’s arrival in 2005 and Xavi’s departure in 2015, of the 33 Clasicos played Barca won 15 and lost 10. Seven league titles, three Spanish Cups and four Champions League titles too were accumulated during that period.
A SHIFT IN PHILOSOPHY
Real on the other hand have asserted their dominance in Europe, winning four of the five Champions League titles, but have one league title to show for in that period as domestic success has eluded them for over a decade now. But the arrival of former Spain manager Julen Lopetegui — a man who understands and accepts the philosophy that propelled Barca to new heights — could change that.
As opposed to outgoing manager Zinedine Zidane’s counterattacking style, Lopetegui’s Spain exhibited traits of Barcelona’s tiki-taka style. And if the manager’s past experience, including his time with Spain and Real’s youth set-ups, is anything to go by, Real could be playing a brand of football opposite to what they did under Zidane. Isco could be the key to Lopetegui’s set-up — marshalling the midfield alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos — just as Xavi and Iniesta had in their decade long stay in Spain.
YOUNG BLOOD
The departures of Ronaldo and Iniesta bring to light another truth — the impending transition from old to new. For a decade these powerhouses have been dominated by Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo among others.
Now, the clubs have begun to gather a group of young stars that can carry forward the mantle. Barca have spent more than €400 million on Ousmane Dembele (21), Nelson Semedo (24), Philippe Coutinho (26), Clement Lenglet (23), Arthur (21) and Malcom (21) over the past two years. A similar wind seems to be blowing at Real with Vinicius Junior (18), Theo Hernandez (20), Ceballos (21), Alvaro Odriozola (22) and Andriy Lunin (19) brought in.
Should they live up to their billing, the sentiments and values of a storied contest will be transferred to another generation.