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Barcelona Vs Real Madrid


crosspatrick

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Its a bit long

A CACOPHONY of ear-perforating whistles, ominous drum beats, staccato taunts, smoke bombs and yet another pelting of plastic bottles, lighters and cans.

Luis Figo, of Real Madrid, walked towards the flag to take the corner. Leisurely, almost theatrically, he picked up one hate-propelled missile after another and tossed them off the pitch. Again he tried to take the corner. Further bombardment.

A phalanx of black-helmeted riot police braced themselves in a line in front of the fanatics who were baiting Figo. He tried again.

Roberto Carlos strode over to help clear the debris. Remarkably, given the historic acceptance of Catalan antimadrista passion, Barcelona captain Carlos Puyol was moved to do the same, appealing to the fans to settle.

It was not until his fourth attempt that Figo, having purposefully pushed back his personal security wall to give himself a run-up, whipped in a stinging low cross. It was deflected out beyond the far post. Another corner.

It was the same scenario on the other side of the Nou Camp's north goal. This time the referee had had enough. So, clearly, had both sets of players. It was 75 minutes into a game in which emotion had long overwhelmed motivation. They hardly needed the order to retreat down the tunnel.

The gran clasico of Spanish football the game that boasted a meeting of the world's best players in a historically epic derby, that had attracted 700 journalists from 26 countries and prompted black market internet ticket prices of up to €800 was suspended in shame.

Sixteen minutes later both sides ran back out to play out the rest of the disappointing, bitter, scrappy match that ended 0-0 and with Barcelona's ground under threat of closure.

"This was a disgrace to Spanish football," pronounced Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano. "They broke the windows of our coach. The abuse started as soon as we arrived. This has gone beyond the limits of rivalry."

Figo, for five years a Barcelona favourite, had experienced the wrath of his former worshippers two years ago on his only previous return. Traitor, liar, money-grabber, he has lived with those labels. But what happened this time went beyond sporting or nationalistic rivalry. The heads of a piglet and a cockerel were among the gruesome projectiles that underlined an open hatred which had been brewing all week.

On Friday, after training, Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal insisted this would be a game against a Real Madrid team, not Figo alone, and that the mentality of the supporters was one thing, that of his players another. He emphasised it was a league game, one which the home team were obliged to win after their poor start to the season. To lose points at home would be a killer blow to morale.

For Figo, the passing of two years and the mooted return of Ronaldo to the Nou Camp promised a dilution of hostilities, but the Barcelona faithful insisted the Brazilian was not a target. He had, after all, gone to Inter Milan between Spanish giants.

"It is all about Figo, because he went direct to Madrid when he said he never would. That was a big hurt," said one.

The Portuguese midfielder was the first big-statement signing of Real Madrid's new era under president Florentino Perez. A year later it was Zinedine Zidane, this year Ronaldo. The absence of the French maestro, who had scored on both previous visits to the Nou Camp, followed by the last-minute withdrawal of the Brazilian effectively turned the clock back to 2000 and the immediacy of Figo's "treachery".

"No Zizou and Ronaldo is out with a high fever!" exclaimed one fan before kick-off. "Now we just need Figo to die on the pitch."

The talking point in Madrid had been whether Figo would take corners. In the match-day papers the build-up was obsessive to the point where Barca fans were fed the statistic that on average Figo takes corners every 18.1 minutes. In other words, be armed.

After the game an imperiously defensive Van Gaal claimed Figo had been the provoker. In his previous visit Figo was substituted, clearly unnerved by the hostility of his reception. On Saturday he remained magnificently unbowed. Even those who had never before taken to him emerged from the cauldron admiring his spirit and strength of character. If provocation is remaining on the pitch, he was guilty.

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Originally posted by sutogame

real madrid sux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ac milan real tommorow

casillas get ready to pick up the ball from your net

I agree w/u. Milan has a well balanced team especially at home. It is a welcome back to the days of the Milan of Sacchi and Capello. Rivaldo, Seedorf, Rui Costa, Inzaghi, Shevshenko...

You can afford that only because you have IMO the worlds best defense... once again.

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Originally posted by milano

I agree w/u. Milan has a well balanced team especially at home. It is a welcome back to the days of the Milan of Sacchi and Capello. Rivaldo, Seedorf, Rui Costa, Inzaghi, Shevshenko...

You can afford that only because you have IMO the worlds best defense... once again.

Milan should win today...better win!:eek:

Now, as good as a team Milan put together this season, I still think their midfield is too "weak" when it comes to midfields such as Arsenal's, Juve's or Man Us:D

And Juve's defense can compare to Milan's anyday, IMO:cool:

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