El Clásico in numbers
MattStats is back with some of the key facts, figures and curiosities of this Clásico.
The final LaLiga match before the March internationals will be one of the most anticipated of the season: El Clásico in Spain’s biggest stadium. Here are some of the need-to-know facts and figures ahead of the latest instalment of this momentous match-up.
253
Sunday will be the 253rd edition of this rivalry, one of the most played in Spanish football history. Some sources will quote different total editions, but they will probably omit the very first – the semi-final of the Copa de la Coronación in 1902. Real Madrid have their noses in front on the overall head-to-head: 101 wins to Barcelona’s 99, with 52 draws.
100
A Barça victory on Sunday, therefore, would see them reach their century of victories in Clásicos. An added incentive, if they needed any more motivation.
9
The margin in points between the two clubs at kick off. The largest lead the Catalan side has had over their rivals since the end of the 2018/19 season, when they last won LaLiga. Victory will surely be a definitive knockout blow in the title race, and even a draw would leave Madrid with very few options.
6
This will be Xavi’s sixth Clásico as head coach, but remarkably his first at the Camp Nou. Of the previous five, two were played in Riyadh (Supercopa de España) and three at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (two in LaLiga and one in the Copa del Rey). Three wins and two defeats is the balance for Xavi so far.
12
Carlo Ancelotti will take charge of Real in a Clásico for the 12th time, moving past Zinedine Zidane and Leo Beenhakker. His first was a 2-1 defeat at Camp Nou in October 2013. Tata Martino was his opposite number in the dugout that day. He faced the Argentine three times, Luis Enrique twice and Ronald Koeman once before the latest five against Xavi.
2004
Carletto’s history against Barcelona long predates his time in Madrid. He had already faced Barça six times before in the Champions League, when he was coach of Milan and then PSG. His sides were only able to win one of the six: the first, in October 2004 (Milan 1-0 Barça). In the 2012/13 season, his PSG side faced Barça in the quarter-finals. The tie was 3-3 on aggregate but the Catalans progressed courtesy of away goals. The scorer of Barça’s second in Paris was a certain Xavi Hernández.
1995
The last time a Real Madrid player scored a hat-trick in a Clásico. It was produced by the Chilean legend Iván Zamorano in a thumping 5-0 Madrid win. Bam Bam went Bam Bam Bam. Since then only two players have scored trebles: Leo Messi (twice) and Luis Suárez. Iconic figures such as Raúl, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema (so far) have been unable to add to the list. Will we see one on Sunday?
42
There is concern in Madrid about the fitness of Karim Benzema but assuming he plays, it will be his 42nd Clásico, putting him on the podium alongside Paco Gento, Manuel Sanchís and Xavi. Only Sergio Busquets, Leo Messi and Sergio Ramos have played more.
Equally, 42 is the record number of direct enfrentamientos between players, or players who have faced each other most frequently (Messi-Ramos). Should they both play, Busquets and Benzema will face off for the 40th time.
47
Leading the team and leading the way in Clásico appearances, Sergio Busquets will make his 47th appearance against Los Blancos on Sunday, further extending his record. Messi and Ramos, now team-mates in Paris, stay joint-second on 45 each.
22
In the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the start of the month, Busquets set another record for himself. He beat Real Madrid for the 22nd time, surpassing Paco Gento’s record which had stood since 1966.
2018
The last Barça victory over Real Madrid at Camp Nou came in October 2018. It was an emphatic 5-1 mauling, ending Julen Lopetegui’s short reign. Since then Santiago Solari, Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti have remained undefeated in the blaugrana heartland. There have been two draws and two Real Madrid wins in the last four meetings at Camp Nou. Conversely, Barça have won four times at the Bernabéu in the intervening period.
6, 9 or 12
Ultimately, the only number which really matters (apart from the scoreline) is the gap between the sides at full time on Sunday night. It will be ¡hay liga! and game on in the title race or hasta luego for the Madridista aspirations this campaign. Whatever happens, it will be as unmissable as ever.