El Clasico: Don't Count FC Barcelona Out Just Yet

Beware the wounded animal. FC Barcelona will be anxious to bounce-back from Tuesday’s disappointing Copa del Rey semi-final, second-leg defeat at the hands of Real Madrid – and if recent history is anything to go by, the Blaugrana should be favourites to pick up the win. Aside from Tuesday’s defeat, Barcelona have lost on four occasions thus far this season, and each and every time they have recovered to register a win in their next match – sometimes in convincing fashion.

Following defeat in the Supercopa, Barça saw off the threat of Valencia with a solid 1-0 win and just a week ago (following a 2-0 defeat against AC Milan), Barcelona came from behind to pick up the three points against Sevilla. Even when a seemingly difficult away fixture has followed a loss, Barcelona have maintained that 100% record as defeats against Celtic and Real Sociedad were followed up with 4-2 victories over Real Mallorca and Malaga respectively.

Similarly, Barcelona tend to bounce-back from defeats in the Clasico too; the infamous pasillo defeat at the Bernabeu was followed by a comfortable 2-0 win rounded off by a spectacular chip from Lionel Messi; losing in the Copa del Rey final also prompted a similar response – courtesy of a brace from Messi, Barcelona took pole position in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. While they couldn’t quite seal the three points when these two sides clashed in La Liga after contesting the Supercopa de España, the Blaugrana came within an inch or two of beating Jose Mourinho’s men.

Will Barça be able to continue this trend with a win in Madrid?