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The Weekly Review: Week 15 FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid El Clasico Edition Part 1 of 4

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 16:  Lionel Messi of Barcelona takes to the field before the start of  the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2011 in Madrid, Spain.  (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Lionel Messi of Barcelona takes to the field before the start of the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
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Like it’s always the case with overly anticipated events, they rarely, if ever, justify the hype surrounding them. When Iron Man first hit the theaters, most movie goers didn’t know what to expect from the film and were pleasantly surprised. The flick turned out to be a hit with the audience and critics alike.

Why comparing a football game to a summer blockbuster movie? Because an El Clasico match is supposed to be the sporting equivalent of a major Hollywood movie.

For the sake of the argument, last night’s El Clasico can be compared to Godfather Part III, a familiar cast and setting but ultimately unsatisfying. Unfortunately I can neither forget last night’s game nor undo ever watching the Godfather Part III (but I threw away the DVD from my Godfather collectors’ box).

There were, however, a few bright spots in a game devoid of genuine highlights. After missing the last 17 games, Carles Puyol, made a cameo appearance, although only for some 50-plus minutes. Also back in contention, Pedro who was more of an extra rather than cast member. But the youngster can be forgiven since he hasn’t featured much in the last couple of games.

Someone who is alarmingly close to become awful, if he isn’t already, is David Villa. Although he is light-years away from sulking around like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he has gone for 10 games without scoring (personal worst: 11). If Pep Guardiola can completely disregards Gabriel Milito, why can’t he bench David Villa in favor of Ibrahim Afellay?

Staying with the movie theme, I am likening Jose Mourinho to Hollywood star and notorious stone face, Keanu Reeves. Both are neither well-liked with critics, fairly predictably in their methods but surprisingly hugely successful. Compare any Keanu Reeves movie to one another and one will notice, Mr. Reeves doesn’t have more than one facial expression. The same can be said about Jose Mourinho and his football philosophy, if he has any at all.

People change, seasons change, the weather does constantly change but not Mourinho’s result-based approach to football. While there’s contesting his record, am I wrong to expect more from someone who considers himself “The Special One”?

Nevertheless, I will most likely watch the remaining three Clasico’s, regardless of the disappointment over last night’s game. Football has come a long way since the days of Laszlo Kubala to the modern game, but it remains to be seen whether Jose Mourinho will ever become a fan of the aesthetic side of it.

On another note, Barca Blaugranes now offers a chat room on the front page. Hopefully you will use this feature to interact with other Barca fans.

Visca el Barça!

Yours truly,

Sebastian

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