La Liga: Real Madrid’s 6-point lead over Barcelona gives this El Clasico the hype it deserves

Here it is – that “6-point” derby where everyone, irrespective of other associations, has a partisan connection towards one side or the other. Ahead of the first El Clasico of this season, Barcelona are six points behind league leaders Real Madrid. There’s a sense of do-or-die about every Clasico, usually with a bit of spice that the local media adds to maintain the larger than life feel it has earned over the years. This time, though, it is one of those games where the league table alone says all you need to know and on its own, gives it the hype it deserves. [caption id=“attachment_3137622” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Barcelona will need quite the miracle from MSN to top Real Madrid tonight. Reuters[/caption] Barcelona have just 27 points from their 13 games, their lowest by a distance since 2008. They have been without Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta during different parts of this season, and in their characteristic manner, have turned to their bench strength for weekends after tough Champions League fixtures. So far, though, there has just not been enough stardust to take them to a position of comfort at this stage of the season. The midfield has looked porous and ill-disciplined in the absence of Iniesta, and while the forward line has been saved the blushes thanks to the likes of Rafinha and Luis Suarez, Iniesta’s absence has been felt. Loose balls conceded so often against pacy attacks on the counter and a general lack of organisation and creativity going forward has meant situations like those 11 nightmarish minutes against Celta Vigo, where they conceded three goals, have been all too common. It is thanks to most of their opponents not making the most of clear-cut chances, that Barcelona still find themselves in with a shout at the title. Gerard Pique, who has arguably been their best player of the season so far, has been left with too much to do at the back. Goalmouth scrambles, defensive errors from midfield that seem to require mopping up every few minutes, combined with the odd goalkeeping gaffe, have characterised a lacklustre season so far, by their high standards. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen recently created the La Liga record for the most passes by a goalkeeper, but he has also had his share of drama, smashing goal kicks right into the path of oncoming forwards and displaying shakiness when combining with his defence for short passes. Luis Enrique, their treble-winning manager and a man who has never had his fans’ trust and love like his teammate Guardiola did, finds himself in a familiar situation again. While the Camp Nou crowd has so far been with their side, the knives could be out if a Clasico defeat ensues. Being nine points adrift at this stage could mean curtains on title hopes this season. It has only been eight months, but it is incredible how the tables have turned since their last meeting in April. At that point, Barcelona’s unbeaten run of 39 matches was ended by Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid side, and despite that reversal, the Catalans pipped their rivals home to the title in May. The 24-time league champions now find themselves at the other end, with Madrid on their own run of 32 unbeaten games, in cruise control at the top of the table. A win here could well tilt the scales decisively for the Blancos. While both sides have injury concerns – Gareth Bale is out with a broken ankle for two months – it is Iniesta’s presence that could end up deciding the game. His teammates have all come forward and acknowledged that in the build-up to this fixture, and in the post-Xavi era, his role has become doubly talismanic. There is no calling this, knowing both these sides, but based solely on how Barcelona have fared in the absence of their talisman, it will take quite the miracle from MSN to top Real Madrid tonight.