Ray Hudson insists that he has run out of superlatives when talking about Lionel Messi. Although, from listening to his most recent broadcasts, it is clear that he hasn’t, he is unintentionally making a pretty profound point here. It is not necessary to make Lionel Messi phenomenal run of form any sexier than it already is. With a little bit of football knowledge, you can see by simply watching him that it is quite possibly the sexiest run of form anyone has ever had - ever.
The same could probably be said of the latest run of form from Real Madrid and Barcelona. However, the need for sexiness is probably something that needs to be elaborated upon – or, at the very least, contextualized. Real Madrid and Barcelona will both finish with more than ninety points this season. Ninety. That’s over 80% of the maximum point total, dropping points in a single digit amount of games, getting maximum points in over 3 of every 4 games.
Arsenal did a pretty good job in 2003-2004 when they went unbeaten. However, Arsenal finished a healthy eleven points ahead of second-place Chelsea and the title race was certainly more about Arsenal´s remaining undefeated than the title race itself.
Sure, Arsenal can say they were unbeaten that season, but Madrid and Barcelona are clearly more superior amongst their respective leagues´ peers. Arsenal was great that year but you should probably give this one more to the footballing Gods than sheer talent. It is quite clear that, if Barcelona and Madrid maintain their dominance, one of them will have an unbeaten season.
La Liga is poised for another legendary run-in. Barcelona are set to play Real Madrid this weekend in Camp Nou with Madrid in first at 85-81. If Barcelona wins, and they indeed are favorites, Madrid - who has the tougher run-in schedule - will have the utmost pressure on them to win out.
Madrid will play for a draw on Saturday. Football seems like a complicated game, but that is only because the results are erratic and seem to sway drastically and irrationally. Mourinho knows that this is not the case, however. Mourinho will sit back and play Barcelona like he played them when he was with Inter Milan. Mourinho knows that he can sit back all game, get a counter-attack goal, have Messi score a remarkable goal, and he will still come out with a draw. With a draw in Saturday’s clásico, Madrid will win La Liga.
This is how sexy Saturday´s matchup is. Sure, check out and see if Juventus can finish the season unbeaten. Sit around and wait and see how bad United can beat City. But know that this season´s sexiest run-in will be between the two best teams in the world, who just happen to participate in the world´s most prolific rivalry.
