Real Madrid vs. Barcelona Clasico 2015: Major Questions Heading into March 22 Matchup
In just a few weeks' time, Real Madrid and Barcelona will renew their rivalry in what will likely be one of the most decisive matches of the 2014-15 season.
When these two clubs last met back on Oct. 25, 2014, Los Blancos were in the midst of a massive winning streak that would eventually last all the way until 2015 when Valencia halted the club, 2-1.
As the two sides prepare for the big game on March 22, there are a lot of questions that will have to be answered to determine which side will have the upper leg and potentially win the essential tie.
Here is a look at some of those major questions:
Will Real Madrid Get Back Into Top Form? Will Barcelona Remain Hot?
In the first leg of this tie the central story was an immovable object facing an unstoppable force. Barcelona was the immovable object that had yet to concede a goal in Spain. Meanwhile, Los Blancos were in the midst of an 8-game winning streak that featured a plethora of goals. During that streak the team had put up a whopping 35 goals, many of them by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real Madrid's offense won the day and Barcelona sunk into a mini "crisis" in the ensuing weeks. But now the tables have turned.
Barcelona is the unstoppable force while Real Madrid is actually rather mediocre right now. The Spanish title leaders have won three of their last four and seven of their last nine (their lone defeat was a 4-0 destruction at the hands of rival Atletico Madrid) and are starting to find their groove. Whether they continue their ascent in the final three matches prior to this Barcelona tie is still up in the air. A lot of that has to do with the team's numerous injuries to Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Sergio Ramos. Having one or two of those guys back could be a huge boost to the team, but will they be in top form?
Barcelona meanwhile has just one loss in its last 14 (and 13 wins in that span). Will it continue that top play in its final four games prior to the big Clasico?
Ronaldo or Messi? Or Both?
The two superstars know how to rise to the occasion in these games and it should be no surprise to see either of them pick up his game to help his club. Messi is clearly in better form at the moment with his 15 goals in 14 matches in 2015; by contrast, Ronaldo only has seven goals in 11 games thus far. Ronaldo has three more games to round into the form he had leading up to the Barcelona tie in October (15 goals in eight games) then he might be able to push the tide in his team's favor. His recent run of goals in three straight games (albeit no multi-goal games yet in that run) shows that there is some promise.
Messi has cooled off a bit with just one goal in his last three, but that is unlikely to linger for a long time.
Home Field?
April 21, 2012 was a significant day in this rivalry. It was the last time that Real Madrid went into the Camp Nou and claimed a Spanish League match from its rivals on their home turf. That 2-1 game ultimately sealed the title for Real Madrid. This game comes a few weeks earlier than that date but has similar significance. History would favor Barcelona as the team has a record of 48 wins, 17 draws and 19 losses on home field in the Clasicos. It is actually an inferior record to the one Real Madrid holds (52 wins, 15 draws and 18 losses).
To Win or To Draw?
Real Madrid cannot afford a loss.
At this moment in time, assuming both teams win their remaining games leading up to the Clasico, Madrid has a meager two-point lead on its rival. A loss puts the team in second and essentially puts it at the mercy of Barcelona's play the rest of the way. A draw keeps the lead at two, but keeps control in Madrid's hands. A win all but ends the championship race.
But going for a win is risky. Madrid could wind up falling behind and chasing the game. And if that happens, the team might be further exposed to more Barcelona attacks. With the way this team is playing, that is not a wise proposition. But neither is sitting back and playing for a draw. If Barcelona scores one goal, then Madrid will be caught cheating forward and will be more vulnerable to a counter and another goal.
That means that this game, at worst, will be extremely cagey and cautious from both sides. Neither team wants to give up the first tally and be caught chasing the game. Or it could wind up being a high scoring affair with both sides ditching defense and going all-in for the win.
What happens will be determined on March 22.