The new rivalry MSN versus BBC

It has been no secret to the footballing world about the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid which is termed as the EL CLASICO and this is considered the most exclusive fixture of Spain’s first division football league known as LA LIGA. This rivalry is something which separates Spain in 2 halves, The Catalonians (Barcelona) and The Los Blancos (Real Madrid) and has perhaps been the only reason which held Spain back from success until 2008 when they decided to hold on their alter ego for EL CLASICO and play as a team for the nation and they had their glory years till 2014. But this didn’t lessen the heat between the two teams as the rivalry has only got more intense with each passing year.

Both the teams are famous and renowned by the whole world having fans in every corner of the globe. There has been a lot of big names in football who have got the opportunity to play for these two amazing sides and the rivalry has always got interesting  with the battles between ZIDANE (Real Madrid) vs RONALDINHO (Barcelona) to the modern day when the names have changed to RONALDO (Real Madrid) vs MESSI (Barcelona). 

When one hoped that things couldn’t get any more spicier for the EL CLASICO, both Barcelona and Real Madrid decided to take it to the next level with the purchase of NEYMAR (Barcelona) and BALE (Real Madrid) who are labeled to be successors of MESSI and RONALDO to keep the El Clasico interesting once the two talisman retire. Things got even better when Barcelona purchased SUAREZ which made BENZEMA get his form back out of nowhere for REAL MADRID and hence commenced the inception of BBC and MSN.

BBC which stands for the Real Madrid’s destructive attacking trio namely Gareth (B)ale, Karim (B)enzema and (C)ristiano Ronaldo made their presence felt rightaway in the LA LIGA season 2013-14. The trio not only outshadowed other teams in Spain but also in the European competition. They couldn’t have asked for better mentors than Carlo Ancelloti and Zindine Zidane under whom the trio set new records to break and humiliated opponents increasing their goal scoring tally. 

Their Stats from the entire season of 2013-14 has been Bale with 22 Goals [15 League, 6 UEFA Champions League, 1 Copa Del Ray]; Ronaldo with 51 Goals [31 League, 17 UEFA Champions League, 3 Copa Del Ray] and Benzema with 24 Goals[17 League, 5 UEFA Champions League, 2 Copa Del Ray]. In total the trio, BBC scored 97 goals in the calendar year which say RONALDO winning the Balon D’or and other personal accolades with the team Real Madrid winning the COPA DEL RAY and the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.

They even extended their sensational form and helped Real Madrid reach an undefeated streak of 23 games in the current season which set a record on its own unmatched by any other team. Real Madrid also went on to win the FIFA Club World Cup and the EUROPEAN Super Cup and currently are favorites to win the UEFA Champions League again. The Trio has 77 goals so far this 2014-15 season which reads Bale having 16 goals [12 League, 2  UEFA Champions League, 2 Others]; Benzema with 20 goals[13 League, 6 UEFA Champions League, 1 Others] and Ronaldo  having 41 goals[30 League, 8 UEFA Champions League, 1 Copa Del Ray, 2 Others].

MSN stands for the Bacelona’s top new found attacking force in the form of Lionel (M)essi, Luis (S)uarez and (N)eymar Dos Santos Jr. MSN arrived late unlike BBC who started to dominate right from their formation. MSN required to get their chemistry right as the three attackers have a very different kind of gameplay. 

It took them more than half of the season to get it right but now since they have done it there is no looking back. They have taken everyone else by storm this season along with their competition BBC with reclaiming the top spot for Barcelona in the LA LIGA, being the favorites to win COPA DEL RAY and also holding a comfortable spot in the UEFA Champions league. Their performances have improved both individually and personally and it can be reflected in their statistics. Messi having 43 goals[ 32 League, 8 UEFA Champions League, 3 Copa Del Ray]; Suarez with 13 goals[7 League, 4 UEFA Champions League, 2 Copa Del Ray] and Neymar with 26 goals[17 League, 3 UEFA Champions League, 6 Copa Del Ray]. In total the trio has 81 goals so far with the season still open to extend and build on that lead from BBC.

The upcoming El Clasico which is going to be held at Barcelona’s home THE NOU CAMP will dedice the winner of the LA LIGA as MSN go head to head with BBC. The 1^st leg was held at the ESTADIO SANTIAGO BERNEBEAU which was a home game for Real Madrid as BBC dominated MSN and Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 3-1. The debate between BBC and MSN has just begun and who will be lasting long and strong in the record books only time will tell.

Indrajit Bhattacharjee
Msc.Media || PG:1