El Clasico Top Five

5. Champions League Semi Final 2001/2002. Barcelona 1 - Real Madrid 3 (0-2, 1-1)

The "Dual of the Century" is what the Spanish pressed named this epic clash of the titans. Both had a dire season, as they finished third and fourth respectably after seeing Valencia clinch the title. The winner would find themselves in Hampden Park with a chance for glory. Real were under their Galacticos reign with stars such as Zidane, Figo to name a few and Barcelona were in a rebuilding phase. It was hardly the "Dual of the Century" as Real raced to a 2-0 victory at the Nou Camp with Zidane and McManaman scoring in the second half. With a mountain the climb in the 2nd leg, Raul secured Madrid passage to the final with a 20 yard screamer despite an own goal from Ivan Helguera. Madrid defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in the final with Zidane scoring one the greatest goals in Champions League history.

4. La Liga 2007/2008. Real Madrid 4 - Barcelona 1

This match is solely known, not for the result as there have been largest winning margin, but rather for the pasillo. The tradition of the pasillo dictates that when a team is crowned champions of the nation, in the following match the opposition has to the form a guard of honour, praising the victors as they walk on the pitch. Madrid were the champions, and therefore Barcelona had to form the pasillo: a shame and embarrassment for their most hated rivals.

Barcelona had finished third after a dreadful campaign of in-fighting within the squad, with Frank Rijkaard losing his control of the dressing room. Madrid on the other hand, lead by Bernd Schuster had stormed to the title. The scoreline made the night worst for the Blaugruna, with Raul, Arjen Robben, Gonzalo Higuain and a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty gaining a 4-0 nil lead before a Thierry Henry got a consolation. Needless to say, Rijkaard left that summer as did as host of stars for a new era.

3. La Liga 2010/2011. Barcelona 5 - Real Madrid 0

A 5-0 scoreline isn't something new in El Clasico, but this is one that stands out. Under the Pep Guardiola era, dismantling teams in such a fashion wasn't unexpected. But this was significant because it was against Jose Mourinho's Madrid. The Portuguese manager had made a bad name for himself against Barcelona and had arrival at capital club in Perez's second Galacticos era in an attempt to stop a rampaging Barcelona. Madrid had improved dramatically with Mourinho at the helm and many thought that they could stop Pep's side.

Mourinho was left dumbfounded as his star studded side were torn to shreds by a team, as Alex Ferguson would say later in the year: "Great teams do go in cycles and they're at the peak of the cycle". With Lionel Messi has chief creator setting up two quick goals for David Villa after Xavi and Pedro had put them up 2-0 at half time. Mourinho played a high pressing, trying to match Barcelona man for man. It failed as Jefferen added an fifth in stoppage time to complete an memorable night, in which the always defiant Mourinho admitted, "We played very, very badly and they were fantastic."

2. La Liga 2008/2009. Real Madrid 2 - Barcelona 6

Before the first Clasico of the season, Madrid coach Bernd Schuster claimed that beating a newly reformed Barcelona under Pep Guardiola would be "impossible". The fans and board were unimpressed and Schuster was duly fired, replaced by Juande Ramos. It didn't stop Barcelona though who won 2-0 and opened up a 12 point gap in the league. Yet Ramos brought about a revival for Madrid and they won 17 of the next 18 games, closing the gap to four points. Suddenly there was optimism that Madrid could beat Barcelona at the Bernabeu.

When Higuain gave Madrid a 1 nil lead, the comeback was looking more likely than ever. But then Barcelona clicked. Quick goals from Thierry Henry, then Carlos Puyol and then Messi gave Barcelona a 3-1 half time lead. Sergio Ramos gave some hope by making it 3-2 from a corner, but once again Barcelona rallied with Henry and Messi scoring again, before defender Gerard Pique getting in on the action, finishing the game 6-2. Barcelona continued their fine forming, winning the treble; beating Manchester United in the final, signalling the start of a new dominating era.

1. Champions League Semi Final. Real Madrid 1 - Barcelona 3 (0-2, 1-1)

This game was to the climax of what Pep Guardiola deemed an "very exhausting" period. Four Clasicos in 18 days: a La Liga game, a Copa del Rey final and finishing with the Champions League semi finals. A 1-1 draw in the league, gave Barcelona one hand on the title and after Madrid getting revenge with a 1-0 win the Copa final, it was down to the Champions League. A Real Madrid win would overshadow Barcelona's title, while an Blaugruna victory would all but seal their place in history. Much like the last time the teams meet in Europe it was all over in the first leg.

With the first leg at the Bernabeu it was tightly fought game until controversy struck. A red card for Madrid defender Pepe on Dani Alves, gave Barcelona the upper hand with Mourinho being sent to the stands. With a man down, Barcelona went for the kill. Two goals from none other than Messi: the first an sublime solo effort; the second a deft touch from a cross. The tie was done and dusted. The second leg was all but a formality: Pedro scored one to all but lock in another Final berth, despite Marcelo scoring. Controversy and allegations were all over the paper, but it mattered little. Much like the final in 2009, Barcelona hammered Manchester United 3-1 to win the Europe's most famous competition.

Andrew Bishara

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