El Clasico: Barcelona vs Real Madrid – Both Barcelona and Real Madrid fans can reminisce about a time when both teams in El Clasico gave a fight that was worthy of a fan’s year-long wait. All the veterans left Barcelona one by one long back and only Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema, and Luka Modric represent the memories of the classic Galacticos. However, as age is catching up with them, Luka Modric turns 38 by the next season, so it begs the question if this could become his last rodeo in Wednesday’s Barcelona vs Real Madrid match. Follow Copa Del Rey LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
A decade ago, El Clasico meant a war between two teams full of skillful and artistic players. Barcelona still possessed legends, like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Carles Puyol, Lionel Messi, and more. Whereas, Real Madrid possessed giants, like Iker Casillas, Toni Kroos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, and more.
Age catches up to everyone and so it did for all Barcelona veterans and now only Busquets remains in the first team. For Real Madrid, it seems that age is proving to be just a number for Karim Benzema as he’s delivering one brilliant performance after another. However, age is catching up to both Kroos and Modric as Kroos is already seeing less playing time day after day.
🚨🎖| Luka Modrić dreams of retiring at Real Madrid and he accepts he must assume a new role. Real Madrid will analyse whether he should continue or not these weeks. @JorgeCPicon pic.twitter.com/86VmePkjcs
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 2, 2023
On the other hand, Modric has been serving in such a pivotal role for years that it’s impossible to imagine a Real Madrid without him. Yet, the icon is turning 38 years in a few months. Hence, even though he will be signing his one-year extension with Real Madrid, this week’s El Clasico could still prove to be his last.
Real Madrid has already started including more young players in their first team in the form of Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Rodrygo, and Vinicius Jr. However, these players are yet to prove themselves to the level of the old Galacticos. They have been inconsistent and haven’t been able to provide the same level of competition to Barcelona in El Clasicos.
Real Madrid will be heading into this Copa Del Rey semi-final 2nd leg El Clasico match with a 1-goal deficit. This will be the fifth time they will be meeting each other and since Real Madrid’s win in October, last year in La Liga, they have not won any more Clasicos. Barcelona under Xavi has improved quite a lot and they could further their Clasico win streak to four on Wednesday.
However, if it is to be Modric’s last dance in an El Clasico, then Real Madrid have their work cut out for them. They can overturn a 1-goal deficit easily. In fact, they had more possession in the first leg. If they can produce some meaningful shots from another good performance, they could give their legend, a fitting last El Clasico.
