BY DAN KARELL
Much of the world will watch together as Barcelona and Real Madrid re-kindle the madness that is El Clasico, when the two meet on Tuesday in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey semifinals at the Camp Nou.
Last time around, the teams tied 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas’ opener being cancelled out by the young Frenchman Raphael Varane, helping save Madrid in the tie.
On Wednesday, both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will be itching to set the record straight, and record a confidence building win over their rivals. Even more so, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho could be facing the axe if he fails to record a win.
Regardless of Tuesday’s outcome, Spain’s two footballing giants will meet again in La Liga on Saturday, at the Bernabeu.
Also in action this afternoon is a 5th round FA Cup Replay featuring Premier League side Everton hosting Oldham Athletic. David Moyes’ team was shocked by the 2-2 draw in their first matchup, but are still the better’s favorite to move on to the next round today.
American soccer fans will have their eyes glued to the CONCACAF Under-20 qualifying tournament, where the United States will take on Canada in the quarterfinals, with the winner securing a place in the Under-20 World Cup.
The German Cup quarter-finals round also begins today, as well as the Coupe de France round-of-16, and a lone Italian Serie A match.
American players should be in action in Copa Libertadores as well, with Joe Corona and Edgar Castillo leading Mexican side Club Tijuana into their first home match of the group stage against San Jose.
If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s TV schedule is after the jump):
TODAY’S SOCCER ON TV
2:30pm – Fox Soccer Channel – Everton vs. Oldham (FA Cup)
3:00pm – BeIN Sport – Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (Copa Del Rey)
6pm- Fox Soccer Channel- U.S. Under-20s vs. Canada (CONCACAF Qualifying)
7:30pm- Fox Deportes, Penarol vs. Velez Sarsfield (Copa Libertadores)
10pm- Fox Deportes- Club Tijuana vs. San Jose (Copa Libertadores)
go Tijuana. Castillo with a goal against San Jose in Copa Libertadores. Castillo is making it hard NOT to call him in for Costa Rica. Put him in at Left Back and move Fabian Johnson to R or LW. In other news after Puebla’s practice Marin Vasquez met with Beasley and Orozco..Not sure what to make of it..maybe a heads up to a call up? Orozco has come from center back to outside back.
PS Castillo has WHEELS
Goooooool Joe Corona!!!!!!
HALA MADRID, GO USA, GREAT DAY for my teams, Barca is just a MODA or as we say in english a tendency, end of a pathethic little cicle.
Shawn Parker, the 19 year old German-American scored for Mainz today. He has played for Germany at almost every age group, much like Fabian Johnson.
US explode on Canada after going down 1-0.Another goal from Trapp’s deflected shot makes it 3-0 at halftime.Canadians only had one chance after scoring their goal.
Rodriguez skips past his man on the left byline cross that Villareal hits first time at the six for a goal 2-1 USA.
Doneil Henry their best defender subbed off for injury.Rodriguez has a better chance at heading in a cross now.
Cuevas with a cross from the byline to Gil whos first touch takes him pass the defender.Shoots with the second touch far post,scores 1-1.
How will they react now.The u-23s fought hard to win that match (contrary to pop opinion)but were unlucky to lose.
I don’t think it’s contrary to popular opinion
Here we go.Trapp fails to close down the shooter from 25 yards who bombs it right footed in to the bottom corner.
How’d Holden look?
Long ball to their lw’s feet who cuts inside Okwouno easily.Right footed shot that Cropper did well to save.Villareal down injured before the play.
I like Trapp’s distribution out of the em spot.His defence not so much.Especially cause he’s alone back there.
Villareal with a cutback and good shot on the righside of the box.Forces the save.Trapp could on the edge of the box Fk right at cropper.
Stanko with a good interception on a through ball to their 9.
Villareal fouled on the turn right above the box. Joya Fk saved with a slight touch from gk for a corner which gets cleared.
Anyone know if Cuevas has recovered for this match.Though Garcia was very good last game, hes more a combination and technical player and doesn’t bring the explosive runs that Cuevas does.I’m afraid if Garcia plays hell be muscled off the ball by the traditionaly big Canucks.I think Tab will go with two dm’s Lopez and Trapp,who alone in that spot would prob get overrun.Overall I would go with a 4-2-3-1
——-Rodriguez——–
Cuevas—–Gil——Joya
——–Trapp—–Lopez
JP—–Stanko—–Oneil—-Miller
———Cropper——-
Ramos decides to go more offensive and puts Joya in Lopez’s spot.Villareal(who I forgot about) takes Joya spot in the 3.Okwouno starts over Miller on the right prob due to his athletiscim in dealing with the Canucks who also go with a 4-2-3-1.
Oh yeah and Cuevas recovers and starts out left in the 3
ah bummer, I was hoping barca would knock out madrid and put more pressure on mourinho.
Love it! One man team beaten again.
Man, Barca absolutely crushed. Devastating loss, at home no less. Can’t see them winning anything other than the league this year.
Barca needs a coach. I understand the desire to support a good man going through cancer treatment, but trying to run a team from a sick bed with footage of practice (which is literally happening) is a recipe for failure. It’s no coincidence that, since he went to the hospital, the team has become unstuck. Even a team like Barca needs leadership, no offense to the assistant.
Pepe is such a little girl
Being “a little girl” isn’t an insult.
it is when you are a grown ass man, playing a contact sport for a top team, and making millions of dollars. i like madrid, but i think pepe annoys me. and diving over like he did towards the end is EXACTLY why.
+1 million
@XPK wow
Not a Barcelona fan, but I kinda feel sorry for the caretaker coach. Does anyone want to bet against AC Milan going through to the Champions League quarter-final? Barcelona is falling apart…
+1
Quite incredible to see these last two matches (excluding the weekend)…
3-0! pedro dives again a few minutes before that.
3-0, it’s a rout. wow, Barca reeling
can’t recall Puyol ever being undressed like that before. it must have happened sometime but that was the full shake and bake right there. great first ball over the top route 1, Mourinho gets some credit imo as that looked very planned to me to counter Barca’s pressed forward high line possession attack
2-0!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA di maria just OWNED puyol! HAHAHAHAHA
Where are people watching Bolton?? Link me please.
Ref definitely lost control of the match in the second part of the half. Madrid are for sure lucky to make it out with 11 men… but I guess if the official is not going to call them why stop?
Lot of energy in the game. Can Madrid keep up this wildly hectic pace without overextending? This is their best (and probably only) chance for a trophy this year so I imagine they’ll really be gunning for it.
please. stop. talking.
Get bent kid.
nice one.
Didn’t get to see the match so I can’t comment on that specific incident, but there are a few matches in world football where I basically can no longer blame the ref for losing control of games which can be impossible to control at times. Madrid and Barcelona is definitely one of those games.
If Ronaldos was a PK then Pedro definitely just earned a PK. Really bad missed call.
Gonna need some play by play on Holden from those who are watching….please.
STU!
Yay multiple viewing mediums.
Holden on for the injured Mark Davies. C’mon Stu!
And Holden was summoned for injured Mark Davies after about 22 min … only to have Davies shake it off and return to the pitch. Good to see DF ready to put Stu in.
Err, Davies changes his mind and goes off. Stu is IN.
swear i saw a commercial on espn for this match up, but it is on bein 🙁
That was not a legit call Ives. Ronaldo started falling over before Pique even got to him. Pathetic playacting.
um it was a PK…no doubt
PK 100%
I think A is joking.
Thank you.
Need sarcasm font.
+1
Another goal from Craig Dawson. He sure is impressing early in his loan at Bolton. This means Tim Ream is stuck behind Knight, Dawson, the finally-healthy Wheater, and possibly Mills. Ream has got to be hoping that Dawson doesn’t get sold to Bolton.
In better news, Holden made the bench again. Lets hope he gets to play.
Gotta race home to tape that U-20 match tonight
Be sure to pick up a VHS tape on the way.
boo, pick up Beta,
+1. Hahaha! Love it.