Barcelona and Real Madrid are preparing for round one of four

Last season the fans vibrated with five showdowns among the Spanish giants, and for this one there are four scheduled between Supercup and Liga for their delight.

If Barcelona’s success in the past three seasons has had so much repercussion worldwide, a great part of it is owe to their archrival Real Madrid, because their tight battles for each title in dispute do nothing but add prestige to the Catalan’s achievements. As if we were talking of a comic book where the hero wouldn’t be anything without a fierce villain, the same happens in Spanish football. If no big rival is behind a championship, the achievement consequently loses its dimension.

Last season was probably the most breathtaking of Barcelona’s three-year hegemony, not only because they experienced an unusual number of confrontations against Real Madrid, with five games between Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League and Liga BBVA, but also due to the presence of Jose Mourinho in charge of the Whites.

The Portuguese coach has an open war with Barcelona since his days in charge of Chelsea, when his complaints about the Spanish defending champions receiving help from the referees became something typical in his speech. In his first season in charge of Real Madrid, Mourinho stayed true to his mental game, attributing Barcelona’s success to third parties.

His conduct didn’t pass unnoticed by the UEFA that has banned him from three games, after considering inappropriate his statements about Barcelona having won their semifinals confrontation thanks to the referees’ influence.

We doubt that this punishment will have any effect in Mourinho’s speech, for nothing will keep him from saying how he feels; it has been demonstrated throughout his career. Therefore we invite you to get comfortable for round one of the 2011-12 season, which will be held at Santiago Bernabeu on August 14 with the dispute of the Spanish Supercup.

Round two will take place at Barcelona’s Camp Nou three days later, where the first title of the season will be decided. Then they won’t see each other until December for the first of two domestic league showdowns. Since Barcelona will be disputing the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan on the 14th of that month, the Classic date is under discussion to be disputed on the 10th or 11th.

And the last of four rounds will have to wait until April 22nd, 2012 if they don’t cross into each others’ road like they did last year during the Champions League Semifinals and Copa de Rey Final.

Real Madrid will face the first game with the advantage that having prepared all the preseason with its complete roster -except from Gonzalo Higuain- represents. History will also be on their side, since out of the four times that the Supercup has been disputed among them the Whites have walked away victoriously.

On their side Barcelona will appeal to the boost that haven’t experienced a defeat in three years at Madrid represents, as well as to Messi’s superb streak against Real Madrid, achieving 10 goals in 13 games.

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get ready to rumble!