Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona: Supercopa Clasico Preview

Here we go again, yet another Clasico is on the horizon. This time FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will square off in the two-legged Supercopa, with the first game to be contested at the Santiago Bernabeu. Heading into the tie, FC Barcelona’s central defense is stretched to the maximum to say at least. Carles Puyol remains an absentee, Gerard Pique is doubtful and Andreu Fontas…well, he is Fontas. I don’t know who dislikes Fontas more, Jose or I? When asked what he thinks of the La Masia graduate, Jose was as blunt as always, "I think Fontas is a terrible defender as Sabrina highlighted in her piece, Pep would be suicidal to select him." Paul Udani, our FC Barcelona B expert, on the other hand seems to be more diplomatic and willing to give the youngster the benefit of the doubt, "He's young, and I'm being nice about that. He's still not good (not Milito bad though) but there's still a chance he will improve. I'd rather not send him out there against Madrid though. He'd be better suited to learn when we're facing a lower-table side."

For some unknown reason, one that definitely eludes me, Pep Guardiola remains steadfast in his conviction that central defense is the one area that doesn’t need any reinforcements. Even resident chief-instigator, Sabrina says "I’m disappointed that Barca did not sign a defender but am happy with the promotion of Thiago Alcantara. Madrid signed a few quality players and did very good business in the window."







So far the only notable, albeit high-profile, transfer of summer 2011 is Chile international, Alexis Sanchez. With Carles Puyol already in the twilight of his career, one would’ve assumed that finding a suitable replacement for Capain Catalunya is the top priority for Pep Guardiola. Unfortunately, it is not. FC Barcelona’s golden boy and the higher-ups at the club consider strengthening the central midfield area a more pressing issue.

Let that sink in.

FC Barcelona’s midfield is stacked, if not overloaded already. Even the most ardent critic of FC Barcelona will concede that the Catalans have the finest midfield in the world. So is there any reasonable explanation why the three Stooges (Pep, Zubizaretta & Rosell) are so intent on signing Arsenal FC skipper, Cesc Fabregas?

Speaking of Fabregas, I asked the Blaugranes staff who they’d buy with the money earmarked for his transfer and they unanimously replied – a central defender, at least one. Our resident La Liga columnist, Michael Doran says: "Barcelona is short at center half, so that is certainly where I would be looking. Probably, I would look to break into the Dortmund pairing of the two best young centre backs on the continent – Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic. Either one would be a brilliant buy, with Hummels probably the slightly better player and more suited to Barcelona's preference of center backs who can play like midfielders with the ball at their feet. If any cash was left over, without many holes in the team, I would look to add a veteran presence up front - perhaps a Diego Forlan or a Freddy Kanoute. Forlan is still a quality player and showed as much in the Copa America, but it seems his bridges with Atletico have already been burned. I'm sure he would jump at the chance to add to his medal collection and aid the development of Barcelona's youngsters."

I used to poke fun at Real Madrid’s Galactico transfer policy under Florentino Perez. But it seems as if the roles have been reversed since Mr. Perez has been reinstated as Madrid president. Gone are the days where selling Real Madrid merchandise was more important than building a competitive and balanced squad.