2019/20 La Liga
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Wednesday 18 December 2019
Camp Nou, Barcelona
21:00 CAT kick-off
The world’s biggest club football game, known as ‘El Clasico’, will take centre stage on Wednesday 18 December 2019, as Barcelona host hated rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou. Kick-off is at 21h00 CAT.
This match was originally scheduled to be played in late October, but La Liga took the decision to postpone the fixture due to safety fears surrounding violent protests which were ongoing in Catalonia at the time.
As ever, the meeting of Barca and Real is one which could have a major effect on the title race, with both clubs pushing hard to be placed at the summit of La Liga’s log table.
Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane has stated that his side must focus on dethroning champions Barcelona as they look to build back to their glory days, while the Blaugrana will be looking to take three points off their rivals and take a massive step toward a third straight title and a fifth in the last six La Liga seasons.
"We have 33 titles," Zidane said. "Barca [26 titles] are doing well, I will admit when a rival is doing well, but in history, Real Madrid has more league titles. But they have been doing better lately and we need to change the dynamic.”
One of the key men for this clash will be none other than Lionel Messi, who is fresh from winning a sixth Ballon d’Or [world’s best player prize] and holds the all-time record for the most El Clasico goals, with 26 to his name.
“You are aware of the privilege you have [of coaching Messi], but sometimes the day to day doesn’t allow you to enjoy it,” said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. “Over time you enjoy it more. I’m aware of it, I’m lucky enough to say that I’ve coached Leo.”
Barcelona have also enjoyed recent dominance over Real in La Liga matches, stringing together a run of six unbeaten matches and completing a league ‘double’ over the capital club last season, with 5-1 home and 1-0 away wins.
Overall, the teams have met in 242 competitive matches, with Barca claiming 96 wins compared to 95 for Madrid. This evens out to 72 wins apiece in their 178 La Liga meetings.
Barcelona v Real Madrid – Last five La Liga meetings
2 March 2019: Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona
28 October 2018: Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid
6 May 2018: Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid
23 December 2017: Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona
23 April 2017: Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona
Barcelona v Real Madrid – Head-to-head, La Liga
Matches played 178
Barcelona wins 72
Madrid wins 72
Draws 34
Barcelona v Real Madrid – Head-to-head, all competitions
Matches played 242
Barcelona wins 96
Madrid wins 95
Draws 51
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