Tonight Barcelona and Real Madrid kick off the latest chapter in their unique, engrossing rivalry with a match that is being played in a completely different context to recent years. The main difference is the identity of the man in the home team's dugout, Tito Vilanova, for whom tonight's match marks a first taste of the pressure that awaits him in the hotseat.
The other big piece of news, and one that is much appreciated, is the sense of peace that reigns in the build-up to this instalment of the 'clásico'. With none of the usual posturing, the spotlight is firmly on the football and the 22 players who will take to the pitch at the Camp Nou tonight, which will include at least ten of the top footballers on the planet.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi, the two leading contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or, are once again expected to dominate proceedings in this clash of the titans.
For the first time in several years, Madrid will not be travelling to the Camp Nou as the underdog. Real Madrid's victory away at Barça last season meant more than just three points, even if these did virtually clinch the title for Mou's men. It confirmed that this Madrid side is a superb team that passes its toughest tests with flying colours.
Madrid overcame all of its fears that night and today it will arrive at the Camp Nou as champions, brimming with confidence. All this points towards the first title of the season not being decided until the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
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