Introduction: Brief Look at FC Barcelona and Real Madrid
Spanish football is such a great phenomenon. It is through football that the Spaniards can express themselves regarding political agendas and culture. The Spaniards feel that it’s through football that most of their grievances can be adhered to considering Spain is a multi-national state. Having a look at the two prominent football clubs in Spain, which are, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, it is evident that Spain loves football. Talking of Barcelona, it owns its football academy referred to as La Massi. It is such a prominent academy having produced the likes of Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi only to name a few. Moreover, leading guys such as Ronaldinho, the Ballon d'Or winner in the year 2005. Barcelona is well known for its possession-based game that is geared towards the rapid passing of the ball. This style of play is popularly known as ‘Tiki-Taka.' It is a technique that was developed by the late Johan Cruyff. Through rapid passing, FC Barcelona is able to dominate possession since they believe that attack is the best form of defense. By playing a possession based game, Barcelona under the current manager, Luis Enrique, is the best club in Europe followed by its rival, Real Madrid.
Having a look at Real Madrid, it is one of the richest if not the richest European club. Having won around ten champions league, they also possess some of the greatest talents the world has ever seen. Talking of Zinedine Zidane, the French man, the club has produced world class players like Ronaldo, the Brazilian, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos just to name a few. The club also believes in a possession-based game and having good players such as Christiano Ronaldo, Benzema, and Modric; the club also possesses its show of talents in comparison to FC Barcelona. The club has its training grounds at the Santiago Bernabeu, which is also Spain’s stadium for all international games.
Presented Case: Rivalry Between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid:
When FC Barcelona and Real Madrid meet for a match, the world considers and knows that this is more than a club match. People expect a show of talent from great players such as Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo. These are two sides that believe in dominating possession and launching attacks because both have great midfield players talking of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Modric and James. At times, it is so ironic that this match boils down to who is better comparing Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. This has built a rivalry and so does the game.
The case presented appertains the difference between two of the greatest soccer attack combinations to grace the field; two combinations that are currently dominating the game. First up is the Real Madrid FC front three made of Christiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and the Welshman, Gareth Bale. Second is the FC Barcelona front three which has Neymar Dos Santos, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi. Both of these sets of attack are made of superb quality players. What is the difference between how the two fronts operate on the pitch? Case one is what makes the FC Barcelona front three clicks so perfectly in a way that has not been seen in world football. Case two is on what makes the Real Madrid FC front three such a lethal attacking force despite their egos and individualism. El Classico is a match that all football fans heavily await. It is part of the La Liga BBVA though many consider it to be more than a club match. The two theories that will be put under consideration is the article between Richard Fitzpatrick article on El Classico and The billion-dollar grudge match: The enormity of El Clasico article by Will Tidey.
The Summarization of the Theorists
Richard Fitzpatrick apprehends that the greatest rivalry in the world of football is the El classic match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, arguing that both teams have a very dangerous attacking force that revolves around six players that are described to be at their peak point of their career. Richard Fitzpatrick believes the rivalry between the two teams, that is, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid is all based on the trio attacking forces in both teams. Will Tidey, on the other hand, elaborates the fact that it is a billion dollar rivalry that revolves around the striking force of the two clubs which is viewed as the greatest attacking force in world football to date. According to Tidey, he believes that FC Barcelona has the best-attacking force talking of Lionel Messi, Neymar Jnr., and Luiz Suarez. For this trio to be considered the best, it calls for the midfield players to press high on the pitch as much as they can so as create numerous chances for them. It is quite a challenge for attacking midfielders such as Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta, and the current Arda Turan to have the trio in form and right play. On the contrary, the Real Madrid trio according to (Fitzpatrick), believes that most of them concentrate on their state of individualism and ego. This is evident especially when set piece situations arise in the game. Putting that aside, it is true that individualism is a factor that makes up the downside of the club.
On the Contrary, having a look at Barcelona, the case is all different. The trio believes in overlooking their individual states and focusing all their talent for the better side of the club. Neymar Jnr., who was among the selected Ballon d'Or candidates, said, “Whether I win the Ballon d’Or, or Lionel wins it, at the end of the day, we will all celebrate together.” This is an actual portray of unity that exists between the three forward players: Lionel Messi, Neymar Jnr, and Luiz Suarez.
Critical Analysis
Richard Fitzpatrick brings into perspective that Barcelona’s attacking force is composed of players that are united in their verge of bringing a win to any game they play. This is evident from words the players themselves speak and how they celebrate while on the pitch after winning a match. How they a different pack of six players celebrate is entirely different.
It is evident that the FC Barcelona players choose to forego their individual states and focus on winning which is contrary to Real Madrid players who truly focus on individual titles and their ego. Though the most recent El Classico, when Real Madrid played under Zidane’s management appears to be a different show of the rivalry that exists. On the contrary, the El Classico played under the management of Rafael Benitez demonstrated ego and individualism.
They play as a team where they concentrate more on winning as a team rather than their individual gains, whereas in Real Madrid, he asserts the fact that their individual gains drive them especially Cristiano Ronaldo rather than as a team. Will Tidey has a similar opinion in regards to Barcelona but says that Real Madrid is composed of strikers who have an individual magic. This ensues a conclusion that they have a different playing formation despite their enormous success.
Team formation dictates how the team can handle attacks and defend themselves against conceding goals to their opponents. Based on Tidey’s remarks on his article, he regards the teams to have a difference in team formation which leads to the style of play by both teams. He thinks that the individualism that constitutes the Real Madrid team is portrayed in their team formation since most of their players tend to be high on the pitch in search for supremacy instead of choosing to keep position and concentrating on the game as opposed to their counterparts, the FC Barcelona team.
With regards to the articles presented, FC Barcelona is described as a team with respect. Every player obeys his position and the manner in which they handle ball possession to defend themselves against their opponents and also launch attacks appears to be very impressive. This is true, and I would agree to that since FC Barcelona has produced Lionel Messi as the Ballon d'Or winner for five years. This is something that has never happened in the prevailing clubs since this contest was launched by Sepp Blatter, former FIFA president.
Conclusion
Based on the critiques by the two article writers, it is evident that team discipline brings about not only individual success but also creates a team with a good name in it. Having a look at Real Madrid, individualism can be attributed to it not performing to the standards it’s needed. On the contrary, the level of discipline experienced in FC Barcelona makes the trio such as a success. It makes Neymar Jnr., Lionel Messi, and Luiz Suarez enjoy such levels of success by topping the top scorers’ charts in their domestic leagues. The trio in FC Barcelona is worth for any football fan to admire. Discipline puts them there.
Works Cited
Fitzpatrick, Richard. "El Classico: Barcelona v Real Madrid." Sports and Leisure (2016): 2-8.
Tidey, Will. "The enormity of El Classico ." Football Fanzone (2016): 3-6.
