A low profile classic

The first classic of the 2020-21 League is here, perhaps too soon for two teams that finished last season in a very different way in terms of titles, but with a similar football in the vulgar. It was enough for Real Madrid to win the fictional post-confinement League and it delayed decision-making, as always happens when a trophy covers everything. Barça, on the other hand, hit rock bottom at all levels and were forced to react with the arrival of Ronald Koeman on the bench, major changes to a rejuvenated squad and not always popular measures.

At this point, the two greats of Spanish football continue to look alike, so much so that they lost on the last day: against Cádiz, the whites, and Getafe, the Catalans. But in the Catalan team there is a willingness to evolve in their proposal, it was confirmed with the European 5-1 to Ferencvaros and two goals from 17-year-old children such as Ansu Fati and Pedri, while the Madrilenian seems dangerously stuck, as saw in the Champions League with another loss to Shakhtar Donetsk (2-3). But all that will be worthless from 4pm at the Camp Nou.

It will be a Barça-Madrid no public and no open bars in Catalonia for fans to see. They are the consequences of sanitary restrictions due to a worsening coronavirus pandemic. The players, used to the passion of the stands in these games, will have to adapt to different circumstances. They know them from other stakes, but a classic is different.

Koeman finally summoned Jordi Alba, who has been out for three weeks due to a muscle injury, but left his title on hold depending on his feelings. If he cannot play, Sergiño Dest would remain on the left-handed side despite being right-handed, a real test of fire at 19 years of age. Umtiti and Ter Stegen are out due to injury, so Neto will play his first classic under sticks. Matheus, strange signing that was not even presented, still does not count.

For eleven the great unknown is know if Griezmann will play from the beginning. By gallons and expectations, sure yes, but by merits and performance he could stay on the bench for the benefit of the cheeky Pedri or Trincao and even a recovered Dembélé.

Pressure

The classic catches Real Madrid in a situation of much greater pressure, after two unforeseen defeats that have raised the specter of the crisis in Valdebebas. Lacerated by his continuous lack of punch since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane’s team has also seen that defensive wall that made him league champion last season cracked. Without summer reinforcements beyond the play-offs of Lunin, Odriozola and Odegaard, and with Hazard, called to be his banner, as a permanent tenant of the infirmary, a plague of casualties that has been especially primed with the demarcation of the right side has still reduced plus the margin of maneuver of the technician.

The Marseillais, undefeated in his five previous visits to the Camp Nou, is still determined to distribute efforts, but he no longer has the extraordinary wardrobe that catapulted him to the historic double of the 2016-2017 campaign and the rotations are watering. The continuous modifications also make it difficult to correct imbalances that take their toll, such as that uncoordinated pressure that allowed Shakhtar Donetsk to give a review to the whites in the first part of Wednesday’s Champions match.

Real Madrid need a turning point in the best possible scenario. To do this, he recovers Sergio Ramos, without whose claw and command ability all weaknesses become more acute. The presence of the captain is essential to join lines and recover that high pressure that was decisive for the whites to prevail in the post-confinement league sprint.

Marcelo’s poor performance invites us to think that Mendy will return to the left-handed side and Nacho will regain the status of a right-handed side. From midfield onwards, many variants taking into account the tactical flexibility of Zidane, who last year signed one of his best games, planting four midfielders at the Camp Nou to put a Barça on the ropes that he fought with order, intensity and a game lively. Vinicius, protagonist of the last classic, arrives with high spirits after scoring his third goal of the season against Shakhtar and being called up by Tite for the next matches of the Brazilian team. Although the main offensive responsibility will fall on Benzema again, with only one notch on his revolver so far this season.