The stage is set. Real Madrid thrashed Levante 5-0 in
Valencia and Barcelona beat Eibar 3-0 at Camp Nou as both
sides warmed up in style for next Saturday's Clasico clash at
the Santiago Bernabeu.
Barca should have made their first-half dominance count
against Eibar as chances came and went in the opening 45
minutes, with the Catalans somewhat fortunate to go in ahead
after Ander Capa missed an open goal - albeit from a tight
angle.
The second half brought rewards, however, as the excellent
Xavi (set up superbly by Lionel Messi), Neymar and then the
Argentine himself got the goals to seal a comfortable 3-0 win.
Messi, though, needed one more to equal the record for goals
scored in La Liga.
A header in the dying seconds almost achieved it after the
Argentine had netted his 200th goal at Camp Nou and his
250th strike in La Liga with a fine run, one-two with Neymar
and precise finish in off the post with 16 minutes left.
But that late effort was saved by the superb Xabi Irureta and
the record will now have to wait until next Saturday at the
Bernabeu, where Messi hit a hat-trick on his last appearance.
"Sometimes I say to myself how lucky we are to have Messi,"
Luis Enrique said afterwards. "It's not just about what he
creates, it's also a great stimulus for his team-mates to have
him and especially in such great form."
Messi missed chances on Saturday, but was involved in all of
Barca's best play. And next Saturday, he will be able to link
up with Luis Suarez as the Uruguayan is available again
following his bite ban.
Top of La Liga with 22 points from 24, no goals conceded at
all so far, Suarez to come in and with Messi chasing a
record, Barca appear in superb shape for the Clasico.
"We'll go to the Bernabeu to win the match, like we have
always done, especially over the last few years," Luis Enrique
explained.
But Madrid look just as good ahead of the latest edition of
Spain's most famous fixture, having hit five goals without
reply at one of La Liga's notoriously difficult away venues and
amassed 25 goals in their last five Primera Division matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo took his Liga tally for the season to 15 with
a penalty and a superb solo strike. The Portuguese is on the
finest form of his career in front of goal and averages over two
per game so far in La Liga this term.
"To do more than what he does is impossible," coach Carlo
Ancelotti said after the game. "We want him to stay in this
form and we are going to help him do that."
Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos were all out
and are doubtful for the midweek Champions league clash
against Liverpool, but Isco impressed in Valencia with an
assist for Ronaldo's second and a lovely goal as well, while
James Rodriguez also shone with a great goal and an assist
and Javier Hernandez won a penalty and scored with a
header from close range.
"You don't score goals like that without sacrifice and
concentration," Ancelotti added. "We're in good physical and
mental shape for the Clasico."
Indeed they are, and with the two teams in such fantastic
form ahead of next weekend's clash, it already promises to be
quite an occasion.

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