El Clasico World Series: Five Reasons Real Madrid Can Whitewash Barcelona

Will Tidey@willtideyX.com LogoSenior Manager, GlobalApril 14, 2011

El Clasico World Series: Five Reasons Real Madrid Can Whitewash Barcelona

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    BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 29:  David Villa of Barcelona (R) vies for the ball with Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain.  Barcelona won th
    David Ramos/Getty Images

    Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to meet four times in the space of 18 days, in what's being billed as the 'El Clasico World Series,'

    The great rivals meet in La Liga on Saturday, at the Bernabeu, before attentions turn to next Wednesday's Copa del Rey final in Valencia.

    And then it gets really interesting. A Champions League semi-final over two legs, culminating in what promises to be a tumultuous crescendo at Camp Nou.

    Most will expect Barcelona to triumph on all fronts, but there's growing evidence that Real won't let that happen.

    Is it possible that Jose Mourinho's team could whitewash the series? Maybe, and here's why...

1. Cristiano Ronaldo Is Back to His Best

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    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 05:  Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 5, 2011 in Madrid, Spain.  (Photo by Clive Rose/Gett
    Clive Rose/Getty Images

    Cristiano Ronaldo is back to his best, and is looking every bit the player who dominated for Manchester United.

    He's scored 40 times this campaign and has been hugely influential. What's more, he's enjoying himself.

    The expression and trickery has returned, and he'll be desperate to prove a point against Lionel Messi of Barcelona.

    Messi is the undisputed king of soccer right now. But Ronaldo wants his throne back.

2. Madrid Are Defensively Solid

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    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 05: Gareth Bale of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Sami Khedira of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 5, 2011
    Clive Rose/Getty Images

    Jose Mourinho's team are a highly organized defensive unit. They've conceded just three times in their last 10 games and are far better prepared to withstand a Barca barrage than they were back in November 2010.

    They lost 5-0 in the Camp Nou when the teams last met, but it won't happen again.

    Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso have gelled, and they are now well-versed in shielding the back four.

    Barcelona won't find it that easy to break them down.

3. Mesut Ozil Is Growing in Confidence

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    MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 19:  Mesut Ozil (L) of Real Madrid avoids a late tackle by Alvaro Dominguez of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Vicente Calderon Stadium on March 19, 2011 in Madrid, Spain.  (Photo b
    Denis Doyle/Getty Images

    When Mesut Ozil joined Real Madrid, some suggested the young German international would flatter to deceive.

    Having excelled at the World Cup, the pressure was on to justify his transfer fee in front of the most fickle fans in football.

    But Ozil has reacted brilliantly. He's adapted quickly to the Spanish game and been one of Madrid's key players this season.

    His work rate and creativity will frighten Barca.

4. Barcelona Could Be Suffocated Under Weight of Expectancy

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    BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 09:  Head coach Josep Guardiola of Barcelona reacts as he follows the game during the la Liga match between FC Barcelona and UD Almeria at the Camp Nou stadium on April 9, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain.  (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty I
    Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

    We all know how good this Barcelona team are. With the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi at their disposal, they're capable of giving any team on the planet a hammering.

    But with all this talk of greatness, comes huge expectancy. And expectancy can soon turn to frustration if things don't go Barca's way in the El Clasico World Series.

    Pep Guardiola will know he's got a team of world beaters playing for him, but he'll know this crop won't be around forever. And he'll be terrified of wasting another opportunity to take the Champions League.

    If Barca don't click on Saturday, it could set the tone for all four matches.

5. The Mourinho Factor

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Manager Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid at White Hart Lane on April 13, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Shaun B
    Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

    Jose Mourinho will have relived that 5-0 loss at Camp Nou hundreds of times since November.

    It was The Special One's worst-ever defeat in management, and dealt a rare blow to his pride.

    But there's nobody better in the game to motivate his team for revenge, and nobody more capable of derailing the Barca bullet train.

    He did it with Inter Milan last season, and he'll fully believe he can do it again with Madrid.

    Don't underestimate him...

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