The first of two Clasicos this week will take place this afternoon at the Camp Nou in the second leg of the 2013 Champions League Round of 16.
Barcelona comes into this game after a heartbreaking loss in the Champions League last Wednesday and a victory over Sevilla this weekend. In the Champions League tilt against Milan, Barcelona was stifled and shutout decisively by the underdog Italian side. "We had the match under control in the first half but we didn't play well in the second. We fell apart after they scored the opener, it was out of control. We have to improve and learn from this," said defenseman Gerard Piqué after the loss.
"This was a very negative result. When you don't show up for a game, this can happen," added midfielder Andres Iniesta.
The team made up for the loss with a 2-1 win over Sevilla that featured Lionel Messi's 38th goal of the season and 49th of 2012-13.
Even if Barcelona loses Tuesday, the team will likely win the Spanish league without difficulty. Unfortunately, Real Madrid needs the victory badly if it has any hopes of salvaging its tough season. With only 52 points, Madrid trails Barcelona by 16 points with 13 games to play and will not win the Spanish league title unless Barcelona implodes. However, should Madrid win the match on Tuesday (or earn a 2-2 draw) the team has a prime chance to win the Spanish Copa del Rey and could feed off the momentum to win its Champions League leg against Manchester United next Tuesday.
Coach Jose Mourinho recently made rather odd compliments of the rival squad in a recent conference. "I prefer to stick to the lessons we have received in the past from Barcelona," he stated. "Lessons of sportsmanship, of how to act in [soccer]."
He added, "I do not speak about referees, nor crowd around them, nor look for yellow cards for opponents, nor conceal things. And, of course, lessons in how to play [soccer], which they do very well. We must try, humbly, to follow that line."
Ronaldo comes into the match with 24 Spanish league goals and four Copa Del Rey goals.
Predictions: Madrid manages a 2-1 win.
Start Time: 3 PM EST
TV: beIn Sport USA
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