Spain: El Clásico is upon us

Monday night all eyes will be on the Nou Camp in Barcelona when Spanish archrivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid meet each other in the "El Clásico", but actually it won't be the biggest derby this weekend as the Kolkata derby on Friday at the Saltlake Stadium was physically bigger with more then 100,000 people attending East Bengal's 2-0 win against Mohun Bagan. But that is the end of this Indian story as the "El Clásico" is one of the biggest matches each year in world club football, where two matches in a league season normally count little. But these matches at the Nou Camp and Bernabeu are followed closely around the world by millions of fans.

And this year this match-up has added flavour with Jose Mourinho, a former translator of the late Bobby Robson at Barca, returning to the club as a local Spanish club manager and that of the Catalans worst enemy, Real Madrid. The Special One as Mourinho is often called has had hostile receptions when coming to the Nou Camp as Chelsea and Inter Milan coach, but in the end walked away with his head high. But given Mourinho's arrogant appearance, the celebrations at the Nou Camp a few month back when Inter Milan just about edged Barca for a place in the UEFA Champions League final, it could be something never seen before even at the Nou Camp for a rival coach.

But then there is also Barcalona coach Pep Guardiola, who has a perfect record against Real Madrid, four win in four meetings since he took over in 2008. And he would like to keep that track record intact, while Mourinho is still to lose a game in the Primera Division. Someone's track record will end tomorrow night.

The match will also see the world's two best footballers take on each other. Barca's Argentinian little maestro Lionel Messi against Real Madrid's Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo. CR7 as Cristiano Ronaldo is also known has scored 15 goals in the Primera Division this season against Messi's 13. And if the defences aren't able to contain these players then a high scoring encounter is on the cards.

But there are other players look out for. Numerous Spanish European and World Cup winners will be seen in action, not together but on both sides of the divide in Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro and David Villa for Barca; while Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Álvaro Arbeloa, Raúl Albiol and Xabi Alonso could play for Real Madrid.

But the "El Clásico" could also see the debut of newcomers like Germans Mesut Özil and Sami Khedira, Portuguese Ricardo Carvalho, Argentinian Angel di Maria for Real Madrid or Argentina captain Javier Mascherano for Barca.

There is a lot to look forward to. At 21.00 CET on Monday evening is kickoff at the Nou Camp and most of us would have loved to have been there amongst the 98,000 spectators. And these matches often don't run as per script and have new heros or villians, so lets wait and see what happens...