Dreams and Nightmares

"We haven't won anything." Josep Guardiolia has parroted this phrase innumerable times throughout Barca's season. The Catalans have had praise heaped upon them. Press from inside and outside Spain has not been hesitant in labeling them the second Dream Team. Even the Wall Street Journal, a U.S. financial newspaper having just unveiled a sports section, included a piece on Barcelona's "Three Headed Monster" which has set scoring records in this year's Liga BBVA. The Blaugrana have shown real character throughout the season, and have at many points warranted all of the flattery. Their coach, a shrewd manager, has been consistently dismissive of the hype since, as he says, their 2009 trophy cabinet remains empty.

Valencia warrants a pat on the back this season as well, having dealt with financial crisis (that included a dry spell in pay for the players), disappointing elimination from Europe, and a drop to an eighth place position in La Liga. The notorious mismanagement and increasing debt (brought on by an empty second stadium) had some worried that the club would fall from grace and enter into mid-to-low table obscurity and bankruptcy. The club's stars, including David Villa and Silva, have turned their form around and climbed back into Europe without any certainty of a consistent paycheck. The match between Valencia and Barcelona featured the league's two leading scorers with neither adding to their tally. Messi, who has been relatively quiet, put Barca in the lead early in the first half but Valencia answered with a pair of goals just before half. Henry was fortunate to have been provided an opportunity in the dying minutes and showed poise in looping his shot over Valencia keeper Cesar.

Nobody can deny that Barcelona was lucky to have left with a point, but a little luck is needed to win La Liga (see Real Madrid's last five games of the 2007 season). Valencia were the better side and acted as the banana peel needed by Madrid to keep their season alive. Juande Ramos, operating with nonexistent job security in what is already one of football's most tenuous managerial positions, will look to capitalize on Madrid's excellent form since his takeover and seek revenge on Barca for inaugurating his reign with defeat.

Today's Champion's League semifinal at the Camp Nou has revealed that Gus Hiddink's promised goal-bananza was merely a smokescreen for Chelsea's defensive and dull strategy. For over an hour Chelsea seemed to be content to pass back to keeper Cech when under the slightest pressure. Although the keeper was brilliant when needed, Petr would considerately gift the ball back to his counterpart Valdes when given the opportunity. The terrible trio up top for Barca did little with their lopsided possession. In fact, the game's best chance fell to a shockingly wasteful Drogba during a singular Chelsea counter-attack. The Catalan side's best chances at scoring were wasted by Eto'o and Henry's respective substitutes, Bojan and Hleb. Despite the game's dull nature and flaws, the Blues have managed to show the world that it is possible to keep Barca from scoring.

Los Blancos were the more impressive team this round, responding well to a dangerous Sevilla currently in third. Raul has once again bounced back from an anonymous performance in the mini-derby against Getafe to score three against Sevilla. The delirious Madrid press screamed "Raulazo" (roughly, Raul fest) and continues in their now deafening chant: Hay Liga, Hay Liga! Marcelo added to his surprising accumulation of goals in injury time, putting Madrid's fourth past Sevilla keeper Palop. German defender Metzelder confidently stepped into Pepe's disgraced position and gave an absolutely stunning performance. Stunning in that he was a solid centre-back that gave Madrid's back line a solidity rarely seen this season. The match featured another convincing display by Lass Diarra that has given Madrid back it's spine in the midfield. Between Huntelaar showing real potential and Lass being one of the main reasons behind Madrid's turn in form, sporting director Pedja Mijatovic is starting to look like a genius. (We'll forget about Faubert and the fact that Madrid was forced to pick between Lass and Huntelaar for a spot on the Champion's League roster)

The clasico on Saturday now has all the requisite billings of an epic showdown, minus the fact that it wouldn't be enough to put Madrid ahead. Juande's incredible opportunity to transition from London reject to Madrid hero stands directly before him. To say that the fixture is critical for both teams would be plain inconsiderate. Behind the well-earned confidence of Barcelona lies their notorious insecurity and ability to crumble spectacularly at the end of a season. If Madrid lose, they face embarrassment, but little changes in their future. The elections will still come, Florentino Perez will likely take over, new galacticos will be signed, and Ramos will still be shifting uncomfortably in his seat. A loss for Barcelona would seriously shake their confidence heading into a difficult second leg at Stamford Bridge. Guardiola's words will begin to echo in every one's head "We haven't won anything yet." The next week could lead to Madrid defending its title in perhaps the greatest comeback in modern Spanish football. Barcelona may collapse in the most magnificent manner ever witnessed, losing a title and a spot in the European Final, with a Copa del Rey final still to play against the Basques. Or, Barcelona could demolish a Madrid side that has visible deficiencies and wrest the trophy from the Spanish capitol. As fans, we should be thankful that the Spanish derby holds both the culmination of dreams and the realization of nightmares in the balance, the drama continues.

-Alex Galarza, galarza.alex@gmail.com