25th October, 2013
F C Barcelona of Spain’s home ground, Nou Camp and Stamford Bridge, the base of Chelsea FC in London would be on fire as both clubs welcome their archrivals.
Barcelona will aim to beat Real Madrid in La Liga for the first time in almost two years in Saturday’s much-anticipated El Clasico, while it would be a renewal of rivalry between two coaches at the Stamford Bridge when the Blues take on Manchester City.
The Catalan giants last won a league fixture against Real Madrid in December 2011, as they came from behind to win 3-1 in the Spanish capital.
And although Copa Del Rey and Supercopa wins have since followed, Barca will be determined to end a run that has seen them take just one point from their last three league meetings with Madrid.
Gerardo Martino’s table-toppers are the only side to avoid defeat in La Liga this term, having recorded eight wins and one draw.
They were held to a goalless stalemate at Osasuna last week but will hope a return to Camp Nou – where they have won their last 19 Liga matches – helps them return to winning ways.
Chelsea and Manchester City have had difficulties in this most unpredictable start to the season, but, lying just a point apart in second and fourth, respectively, will be eager to seize the opportunity to lay down a marker in their quest to return to the summit of the English game.
Some early teething problems were understandable, given the arrival of two new coaches and two men with something of a history in Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini. It was, of course, Pellegrini who was unceremoniously and unsavorily pushed aside in 2010 to allow Mourinho to take up the reins at Real Madrid.
There, Mourinho suffered the first disappointment of his managerial career before returning somewhat with his tail between his legs to his former love this summer.
What he found, though, was a side that, despite some of their key parts still being in place, were radically transformed from the one he led to back-to-back titles in the middle of the last decade. It is that issue with which Mourinho is still battling.
The Portuguese has succeeded in the past with sides based around strength and speed; attributes that allow his teams to withstand pressure before striking quickly on the break. However, with a squad that appear to have been largely constructed in the hope of tempting Pep Guardiola to the club, he instead has a host of players more delicate of movement and of touch.
Mourinho has been quite open about this, admitting that he needs to adapt his philosophy and that he is happy to do so. The proof, as always, will be on the field. Thus far, the conflict has played out as one might have expected, with Chelsea lacking a clear identity.
Despite being just two points off the league summit, Chelsea have yet to put in a complete performance this season. As much as that might be a worry for those at Stamford Bridge, it should also be a concern for the rest of the league.