'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
I have landed in Barcelona to kick off my football pilgrimage, a major tick off my bucket list, to watch my favourite football club (FC Barcelona), the biggest club football game on earth (El Clasico) and some top class UEFA Champions League quarter-final games live.
My last blog finalised my pilgrimage itinerary and list of 40 of the world’s top 90 football players I would be watching live!
The eagle has landed
I landed at Barcelona today after a relaxed week at Costa del Sol area where I felt proud at being treated as an 'Indien, no problem country'. Barcelona airport was chilly, windy and had a light drizzle.
Although the weather for El Clasico doesn't predict rain, downpours in this part of the world come with little warning and since the stand (am sitting) would be in the open (most of the Nou Camp is open), I anticipate myself carrying a disposable rain coat to the stadium.
The combination of this late winter chill and rain would be an extremely uncomfortable proposition during actual match time, 8.30 pm to 10.10 pm. However, aside the 4 pm drizzle today, the rest of the evening remained clear sky.
It's important that the game tomorrow doesn't get rain or wet outfield to ensure free flow attacking football from both teams.
An expensive dream
Thankfully my apartment at Barcelona is next to the Nou Camp, arranged by my dear friend Nestor Centelles Duran - a private tour guide by profession. He helped get me both the Barcelona match tickets at a 50% discount on what’s sold on the internet.
As I write, El Clasico tickets today are going at around 550 euros. But a dream is a dream and needs to be achieved! The learning though I got here is that it's better to buy the tickets after landing if the game isn't a high profile encounter.
Am sure the Barcelona-Atletico game ticket I would have got cheaper if I go to the stadium today as that encounter may not even have a full house.
Importance of this Clasico
All over Barcelona, there is a buzz related to the game, but without much tension or edginess. A ten point gap in the La Liga table between Barcelona and their El Clasico opponents, Real Madrid, means the result of this game won't have as much a numerical bearing as a game of this nature should.
But rivalries are built on pride, egos and bragging rights. Beating this Barcelona team will go some way in redeeming Real's season so far. Further, if Barcelona lose and get a key player injured, it will set the cat amongst the pigeons at the Nou Camp with a quarter-final Champions League clash coming up in three days vs another Madrid team - Atletico.
That aside a La Liga title win for Barcelona will remain incomplete if they can't beat the Galacticos at home. A big win over Madrid will also put question marks over the ability of Real's XI to beat Barcelona in the future - so a summer overhaul would be due. Everything to expect.
What to expect
There have been >2.5 goals scored by Barcelona in each of their last 14 home games. The home team has scored two or more goals in each of those games, in process staying undefeated over their last 23 games, home and away.
The general prediction over different websites ranges from 2-1 to 3-1 towards a Barcelona win. No one wants to bet against this Barcelona team not winning at home, but in El Clasico form goes outside the window, often. No one expected the Catalans to win 4-0 away at Bernabeu in their first Clasico of the season.
So, expect the unexpected tomorrow. I should be in the stands by 7.45 pm.
Paris news
My football pilgrimage itinerary ends at Paris. On landing Barcelona, the first news alert popping up on my mobile was of an explosion in a Paris building which worried my family.
Paris has been in the news for all the wrong reasons last six months. Thankfully this blast was from a gas leak and not man made. Condolences to the families affected.
Coming up Part 7: El Clasico madness!
