El Clasico (English: The Classic), also known as El Derbi Español or El Classic is a generic name given to every soccer game between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. This was opposed at least (and usually) bi-annually as part of the Spanish La Liga competition, with a maximum of nine games the year, with two additions in the Copa del Rey, Champions League and the Supercopa de España, with another possible in the UEFA Super Cup. In addition to the Champions League Final, it is the most followed club football game in the world, watched by hundreds of millions of people.
Competition is emerging as Madrid and Barcelona are the two biggest cities in Spain, and the two clubs are the most successful football club and influential in this country. Real Madrid has collected 73 trophies and Barcelona 68, while Athletic Bilbao came third with 32 trophies. They are sometimes identified with the opposite political positions, with Real Madrid and Barcelona represent Spanish Catalan nationalism and nationalism respectively.
1. More than just a geographic boundary
Liverpool vs Everton, Arsenal vs Spurs, and AC Milan vs. Inter derby games are hot and full of emotion. This fact can not be denied. Although tradition and emotion of their rivalry is so wonderful, but fundamentally, this competition was limited to geographical regions. Competition both teams just because they have headquarters adjacent to each other. So in order to maintain prestige and confirm who is the most powerful in the same area, there arose a rivalry. However, the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid beyond the boundaries of the territory. Rivalry they are immortal, because that part is locked horns with the regional capital city who want independence.
2. Catalunya vs Castille
Barcelona and Madrid are the two biggest cities in Spain. That alone is enough to form a rivalry. However, they also is host of the two regions are very different both culturally and emotionally. The two cities are also produced two 'madhhabs' different intellectual, and of course, opposite to each other. Barcelona is Catalan, Madrid is Castillian. Catalan people are a free society, whereas Castille more like his royal palace and the central Spanish government. The dispute culminated when General Franco, the Madrid, a wing of fascism, want to 'exterminate' the Catalan region. So, when it was held and won El Clasico Barcelona, this is all the people of Catalunya victory in freeing themselves from the tyranny of the center. If the win is Real Madrid, meaning this is a victory for the government in an effort to assert his authority.
3. "Everyone picks a side"
The above statement is hostile ideology, social, and political between regional culture that wants independence with a strong central government, and not just involving FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, or Catalunya and Castille, but also the entire community of Spain. When the duel El Clasico in progress, can be ascertained, all the people in Spain will be divided in two. El Clasico has the function of 'unique' is a 'transparent barrier' between the two regions within one country. Supporters of other clubs, whoever they are, will choose one between Barcelona and Real Madrid, according to the interests and ideology of each, everyone (Should) picks a side.
4. Is a member of the Best League in the world
Whatever the cultural contexts found in El Clasico duel, there will be no outsiders who care about the game if he is found in, for example, Cyprus Domestic League. But this is not. Duel is from La Liga Primera, which is the best league in the world based on the FIFA rating (in other long debate discussion, other leagues may be emerging as a better league, but at least one of La Liga is the best soccer league in the world) , so all human attention must be drawn to football there.
5. Featuring two best clubs of La Liga
Not only prestige, but the dominance of the two teams in La Liga is the guarantee of the heat of this match. Because both teams are usually located at the top of the standings, the result of the El Clasico is very determine who will rule the league at the end of the season. AC Milan vs. Inter derby feud mengkin are two of the top Serie A clubs, but there also have Juventus and AS Roma to compete. So, sometimes, tifosi feel the match AC Milan vs Juventus or Inter vs Roma into the same crucial. And this makes the significance of Milan derby party somewhat reduced. Another case with Barcelona vs Real Madrid are so decisive. La Liga is not a race two 'horses', but there are always two-colored horses 'red blue' and 'white-white' who participated. Two horses also had never been relegated to lower division (and likely will never, be it because of quality and their strong political lobby in Spain).
6. And the best players in the world
Because Barcelona and Real Madrid are two of the richest clubs in the world, they are always inhabited by the best players as well. For example, when Lionel Messi's injury, on the bench already exists Henry, Deco or Ronaldinho. We also still remember the Madrid once inhabited the same class player Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul, Figo, Beckham and Roberto Carlos are playing simultaneously. When El Clasico in progress, we like seeing the money of hundreds of millions of dollars being 'run' on the pitch.
7. Also some local talent
On the expenditure side of the world-class players, the two teams also met by the local talents of each partner stronghold. El Barça have Valdés, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta and Bojan who are products of the academy football, while Messi and Giovanni are young children who attend school in Barcelona since childhood. Meanwhile, Los Blancos have Casillas, Raúl team mascot, and Guti who are college educated Madrid. And incredibly, these players are members of the Spanish national team. 'Taste' of this local guarantee that nobody in the field who will forget the cultural aspects behind the El Clasico. Arsenal may be filled with talented young players, but almost no native English players in there. Manchester United now only leaves old players like Giggs and Scholes as their original target. That's the difference with El Clasico.
8. Transfer history of the 'controversial' between the two teams.
As the two strongest and richest clubs in Spain, could not be avoided, Barcelona and Real Madrid will compete to get top players signature. One of these cases is when the two clubs intend signing River Plate, Alfredo Di Stefano in 1953. Transfer is very controversial and is one of the triggers 'hard' El Clasico. A contract made awkward when Di Stefano signed the proposal the two clubs at once. He would play two seasons for Real Madrid (who contacted earlier) and two seasons for Barcelona.
However, after seeing his first debut on Real, El Barça agreed to release Di Stefano permanently. It is still being debated: First, that the Barcelona saw the appearance of Di Stefano who is less promising in his debut. Second, there are indications that the Barcelona is pressed by the dictator General Franco's pro-Madrid, which threatened to impose restrictions on foreign players playing in La Liga.
This trend also continues, both teams continue to persevere to get the top players (as they did on David Beckham in 2003). But nothing is more 'painful' than when one player from this team off to another team, as happened on Luis Enrique, who moved from Madrid to Barcelona, or the case of Luis Figo in 2000, who migrated from Azulgrana to Los Merengues and record-breaking transfer (before Zidane) at 65 million Euros. And when he returned to his former club stadium, jeering, shouting, and even tosses pig's head they should receive. All because of the atmosphere 'hell' El Clasico.
9. The size of the stadium
Santiago Bernabéu stadium
Nou Camp Stadium
The second big name clubs were also supported by the size of their stadium. Both the Nou Camp and Santiago Bernabéu is a giant stadium so promising elite and extraordinary atmosphere. Camp Nou stadium with a capacity of even the largest in Europe, which is capable of accommodating 98,772 seats. Before the renovation, the stadium has even been filled with 200 thousand spectators in one of El Clasico. While the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium can accommodate 80,400 Madridistas and named as one of the best stadiums in the world berfasilitas.
10. Produce a quality football spectacle
If that happens on the field was a disappointing spectacle, all the above points mean nothing. And the Spanish soil would be a sad place if all the people waiting for a party that is held once two years, only to watch the match which left a bad and boring. But no. El Clasico match, by tradition, always show-quality football, attacking, attractive, full of skill, and the aroma of 'killed' violently. Amazing scores like 3-3, last season at Camp Nou is an example of how alotnya this match.
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