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25th Oct 2014

Ten of our favourite El Clasico matches from the last 10 years

Move over Longford v Athlone Town because the original El Clasico is back...

Paul Moore

Move over Longford v Athlone Town, because the original El Clasico is back…

The gigantically grande, massively mega, classically colossal El Clasico takes place this weekend as Barcelona and Real Madrid meet for the second time this season in La Liga.

We all know exactly what to expect when these two giants of world football collide. Goals, drama, tension, red cards, incidents and the best players in the world doing what they do best.

We’ve probably just jinxed it now and the match will end up as a dour 0-0. Naaaa, we don’t think so.

To whet your appetite, here are ten of our favourite matches from El Clasico matches from the last decade.

19.11.2005 : La Liga – Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona

It should never be underestimated just how much of an impact Ronaldinho had at the Nou Camp because his arrival proved to be the creative catalyst that inspired Frank Riijkard’s side to achieve domestic dominance and the ’06 Champions League.

The Brazilian’s finest hour arguably came in this 3-0 win at the Bernabéu which earned him a standing ovation from the home crowd.

Take a look at this footage as the intense rivalry goes out the window for a few moments as the Real Madrid fans acknowledge that they were witnessing something truly special.

10.03.2007 : La Liga – Barcelona 3-3 Real Madrid

Lionel Messi this is the world. The world this is Lionel Messi. We think that you’re going to like each other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL2lmLngiFg

07.05.2008 : La Liga- Real Madrid 4-1 Barcelona

A night that will live long in the memory of Los Blancos fans as Real Madrid celebrated the La Liga title in the sweetest way possible, by humiliating their fiercest rivals in front of an adoring crowd.

In a classy gesture, Barca gave the Real Madrid players a guard of honour to welcome the newly crowned champions onto the pitch but Bernd Schuster’s men were in no mood to repay the favour.

Raul, Robben, Higuain and Van Nistelrooy all got on the scoresheet as Frank Rijkaard’s future at the Nou Camp was dealt a hammer blow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUgtiPWrbjI

2.05.2009 : La Liga-  Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona

If the previous match heralded the end of Rijkaard’s reign then this resounding win for Barcelona was proof that the balance of power in Spanish football had swayed from Castile to Catalonia.

Real Madrid came into the game like a team possessed, they won 17 of their previous 18 matches, but Pep Guardiola’s men absolutely tore them apart despite going a goal behind courtesy of a Gonzalo Higuain’s header.

A brace each from Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi were added to by goals from Puyol and Piqué. Tiki-taka was here to stay.

29.11.2010 : La Liga – Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid

Total. Annihilation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sARgAEAlcY

20.4.11 – Copa Del Rey Final: Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

This final came just four days after the two teams played each other in La Liga and seven days before they played each other in the UEFA Champions League first leg semi-final.

Who doesn’t remember those breathtaking run of games and this final was significant as Mourinho finally got the better of Guardiola’s men.

Take a look at the leap and power generated in the header from Ronaldo, Holy God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BZFzuAO0fQ

Who can forget Sergio Ramos dropping the trophy under the bus during the parade also. He’s a headbanger Bill.

27.4.11 : Champions League semi-final – Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona

An ugly and ill tempered match which was more of an endorsement for anti-football than the beautiful game.

Some Real Madrid purists turned on Mourinho after this game but the event was lit up by a superb solo goal from the one and only Lionel Messi.

Pepe tried to kick the little genius off the pitch but Messi answered this attempted physical bullying in the best way possible.

21.4.2012 : La Liga – Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid

If the 5-0 represented Mourinho’s greatest humiliation during his time at Spain then his redemption came at the Nou Camp also as Real Madrid effectively wrapped up their first title since ’08.

We still love that Ronaldo celebration.

23.03.2014 : La Liga – Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona

Another Lionel Messi hat-trick as the worlds greatest player almost single handedly won last years El Classico.

The Argentinian genius surpassed the goalscoring record of the the late great Alfredo di Stefano in this match and what a way to do it.

This was probably the best match of the 2013/14 calender but the contribution of the sublime Andres Iniesta shouldn’t be overlooked in this one.

16.4.2014 : Copa Del Rey Final – Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona

This is a date that will live long in the memory of the worlds most expensive signing as Gareth Bale’s career in Madrid finally had lift-off.

Angel Di Maria opened the scoring but Marc Bartra equalised with extra-time looming large. No one told Gareth Bale though as he picked up the ball in the 85th minute and settled the final. In a word, pace.

If you have some time to spare then check out every goal scored in the world’s greatest club match since 1984. We can’t wait for kick-off. Guapa!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzS7tiyTzL0