Three Reasons Why Real Madrid Will Win El Clasico
Real Madrid come into El Clasico in a position of power, leading LaLiga and high on confidence. But why will they win El Clasico?
In form and confident
It’s impressive from Real Madrid that since their spell of four draws on the bounce at the end of September and leaning in to October, they have proceeded to slip up just once - an unprecedented draw with Legia Warsaw. Otherwise, Real Madrid have been flawless. They’ve been made to work in some games, and ground out a result. In others meanwhile, they’ve simply blasted through the opponent. A key point was perhaps the Madrid Derby victory, in which they were cunning and explosive when required. Confident remains incredibly high and player morale is surely at its best since the peak Carlo Ancelotti era.
The squad is particularly pleased with their coach, and even those not seeing minutes are striving to shine. Happiness can sometimes be an understated factor in football and while Zidane has been derided as simply a coach too stroke egos at the club, he has done incredible work in that regard. It’s more difficult than most imagine, and something Rafael Benitez could’ve done with in his time at the club. Real Madrid will arrive at Camp Nou on a high, one that is beginning to seemingly feel permanent. They won’t want to lose that.
Cristiano Ronaldo
It’s an obvious point, but Real Madrid does have Cristiano Ronaldo. While the Portuguese is not the force he used to be in terms of driving runs and skills, he is a pure goalscoring focal point for the team. His ability to be in the right position at the right time matters in games like this. No Gareth Bale represents a problem too, but it’s one Cristiano should be ready to find a solution for. The Welshman has taken the headlines for the best part of a year or so, and has slowly but surely become the most important attacking outlet at the club.
Cristiano then, must offer a reminder who is the top dog. Not in terms of rivalry with Bale, but purely to those who doubt his status at the club and in the world as a whole. Chances might well be few and far between for Zidane’s men, but they have one of the most lethal marksmen in the game playing for them. Sometimes, it’s the difference between winners and losers. Champions and runners-up. Love him or hate him for it, Cristiano always seems to be ready for the big moment.
They’ve been here before, and won here before.
El Clasico brings about a game full of ferocious rivalry and hatred. But, Real Madrid have seen through all that before and can do so again. They have experience running through their team that know all about that, and even though Camp Nou represents a cauldron of hate for the club - they can navigate it. Experience and maturity is key in such an environment.
So as long as players keep their head - Sergio Ramos and those reckless tackles, I’m looking at you - Real Madrid have all the attributes to claim a win, and on this occasion give the title a significant nudge in their direction. Cristiano Ronaldo’s now famous ‘calma calma’ celebration came at this very ground and after deflating Atletico Madrid the other week he will be looking to make sure another ground is silenced, or at least muttering to themselves in unison.