Major April Clashes between Giant Rivals Barça and Madrid

Spanish football (soccer) giants and arch rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona may face each other up to 4 times in just 15 days in April marking a historic and tense month of soccer confrontations.

This makes April a "Classic" month, as the term "Clásico" is given to any soccer match between these two famous teams. In fact, Clásico matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona are the most widely watched football matches in the world following the Champion's final.  Their football matches are viewed by hundreds of millions of people.

Normally this event occurs only twice a year in the Spanish League "La Liga", but this year could make history with two powerhouses currently positioned to confront each other in the return game of the Spanish League, possibly the final of the UEFA Champion's League and the Spanish King's Cup "Copa del Rey".  

The stark rivalry between Madrid and Barcelona is seen and felt throughout Spain where people are quick to identify if they are "culés" (Barça fans) or "Madridistas".  The two clubs hail from Spain's largest cities and are not only the most successful but the richest, most influential and most famous clubs in Spain and arguably the world. Historically, Real Madrid is the stronger of the two with a total of 73 trophies and Barcelona a total of 68. No other Spanish team comes near them in number of titles earned.

However, for several years Barça has been gaining critical acclaim as being the best team in the world.  In 2009 Barça became the first team to with all three major competitions: the Spanish League, the King's Cup and the Champion’s League deemed in Spanish as the "Triplete" or Trio.  Real Madrid has invested millions to buy players and the best coach possible to try to claim a title this season, and the only thing that seems to be between them and all of the titles is FC Barcelona. 

La Liga "The Spanish League"

The first confrontation this year left much to be desired for Madrid fans.  Barça not only won but rather pulverized Real Madrid with a stunning 5-0 win on November 29 2011. Despite the loss, Real Madrid has maintained close on the classification heels of Barça who currently leads by 8 points (84 -76).  Many matches remain, including the return "Clásico" game which takes place on Madrid turf in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on April 17, 2011. 

Copa del Rey - King's Cup

This Spanish competition will be disputed between Real Madrid and FB Club Barcelona for the first time in 21 years on the 20th of April. Barça classified for the final by beating Almeria 5-0 and Real Madrid eliminated Sevilla 3-0.

UEFA Champions League (European Cup)

Real Madrid is the all time record holder for most Champion's titles, 9 in total. They are currently fighting for the 10th, and will likely face FC Barcelona.  Real Madrid and Barcelona are both among the 8 teams currently in the quarter finals, and based on the first leg of matches it looks like they will both pass this round relatively easily.

FB Club Barcelona faced Shakhtar Donetsk on April 6th in the first leg of quarter finals and won the match 5-1, making it unlikely that the Ukrainian team will be able to rebound on the April 12, 2011 when the two teams play the second leg of the eliminatory.

Real Madrid played Tottenham on April 6th and won 4-0 giving them a very favorable cushion for the 2nd leg of the eliminatory that they will play on the 13th of April.

This makes it likely that the two Spanish teams will advance to Semi Finals, increasing the probability of an imminent "clásico" clash in the battle for the European Cup. The first leg of the Semi Finals takes place on April 26/27 and the second on May 3/4.

This competition is not only extremely important on a European level but rather worldwide.  The matches are shown in 70+ countries in more than 40 languages. The 2009 Champion League final had more views than the Super Bowl, making it the most watched sports event in the world.

An exciting and tense month for Culés and Madridistas worldwide! These clásico events fill Spanish bars from coast to coast and result in a massive consumption of sunflower seeds and hangovers. 

Two giant Spanish teams who just happen to be major rivals. They prove to be just one more attestation to the current superiority of Spanish soccer (football), arguably the best in the world, especially after winning the World Cup. I will be getting my shirt ready to cheer on my team, we all have one… :)