by Editor Wong Yang
El Clasico may not be a derby, but Barcelona versus Real Madrid never fails to make for an impassioned occasion. However, this weekend, we also see the Le Classique and the Derby della Madonnina. What makes each of these derbies and rivalries so important? FootballMania has found out more.
Derby della Madonnina (the Milan derby)
The Nerazzurri and The Rossoneri
The derby between A.C. Milan and Internazionale is traditionally one of Serie A’s and the world's biggest match but this weekend the fixture could be played in a half-empty stadium due to AC Milan’s poor start to the season. Milan are 11th in the table, while Inter sit at 3rd place. Only 28,000 fans showed up last week to see Milan win their first home game of the season, 2-0 against Calgliari. Captain Massimo Ambrosini even pleaded for the fans to turn up for the derby. Milan's era of dominance has ended, with Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, Kaka, Andriy Shevchenko, Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso gone. The days of their Champions League dominance has ended. Inter, at least, have seen clearer skies.
However, the historical rivalry between these two clubs makes this tie a worthy watch. In December 16, 1899, Alfred Edwards started the Milan Cricket and Football Club. The Milan football team won their 1st trophy in 1900, with the football world seeing them as the rising club. 3 national league titles in 1901, 1906 and 1907 ensured their dominance but in 1908, there was a disagreement between two sides of the club regarding the signing of foreign players, and thus, the establishment of F.C. Internazionale Milano.
What made this rivalry all the more intense was the fact that Inter was seen as the club supported by the elites and the upper class, while Milan was the club of the working-class. The battle for the Scudetto between these two clubs may be over, but Milan v Inter is still one of the biggest rivalries in the football world.
Le Classique - Derby de France
Les Phocéens and Les Parisiens
The rivalry, modeled after Real Madrid and Barcelona, was born in the late 1980s and the 1990s. The Classique holds historical, cultural and social importance. The match, seen as North versus South because of PSG's home, the nation's capital, Paris, and Marseille, the main city of southern France. PSG was disliked by the southern people because of Paris's economical and political influence. Also, both teams are the only French teams to have won a major European trophy. PSG won the UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in 1996, while Marseille were the champions of the UEFA Champions League in 1993.It is a rivalry that brings a temporary civil war to France, and is watched by millions throughout the nation.
Marseille are at the top of the table, while PSG trail by 3 points in 2nd place. It has been 19 years since the two teams last met while in the top 2 positions of the Ligue 1 table. Marseille recorded their first loss of the season last week, while PSG were defeated by FC Porto in the Champions League. Things will be interesting this Sunday.
El Clasico
Catalonia against Madrid
El Clasico has almost become a cliche term, with Barcelona and Real Madrid meeting countlesss times last season and this season. Traditionally a struggle between the wealthy elites of Madrid and the socialist separatists of Catalonia, meetings between the two clubs are simply "Clasico".
Real Madrid suffered a poor start to the La Liga season, but Ronaldo has scored 2 hat-tricks in two consecutive games, and Los Blancos are back in form. However, they face a daunting challenge, with Barcelona ahead of them by 8 points.
The Catalans have something to worry about in defence, with Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique out. Eric Abidal is also on the injury list. Javier Mascherano and Alex Song are anticipated to play in central defence, while Barcelona's attack remains a threat. You guys might think we have served this tie an injustice by writing nothing about the great rivalry between these two clubs. However, a month ago, we had written an entire article just about this fixture. Check it out at http://www.yangfootballmania.blogspot.sg/2012/08/el-clasico-we-have-written-so-many-times.html.
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