As Barcelona and Real Madrid are ready to rekindle their storied rivalry in the Clásico, this match will be remembered for years to come.  The story is as much about the drama off the field as it is about the action on it as the tension builds for Sunday’s matchup.

 Following Barcelona’s recent Champions League loss at the hands of inter Milan, tension has reached a fever pitch.  In addition to ending their hopes of winning the treble, the loss sparked a social media frenzy as Madrid fans took advantage of the occasion to make fun of their Catalan rivals.  This legendary rivalry is made even more intense by the lingering memory of Barcelona’s Copa del Rey victory on April 26.

Both teams have maintained their winning ways in La Liga despite the virtual sparring.  Still, there is a buzz of excitement and unresolved business in the air.  Inter Milan’s late goals in extra time destroyed Barcelona’s chances of winning European championships, adding fuel to the flames of this intense rivalry.

While Barcelona’s team has been outspoken in their criticism of Champions League referee Marciniak, whose judgments have come under scrutiny, Real Madrid supporters have taken to the digital battlefields with a barrage of memes.  The pregame tension has increased as Real Madrid’s media circles have focused on match official Alejandro Hernández Hernández, while Barcelona has sent out a belligerent message threatening a confrontational encounter as the Clásico approaches.

With the La Liga title on the line, the stakes are bigger than ever.  With three games remaining, a draw would give Barcelona a dominating advantage and increase their lead to four points.  Real Madrid, on the other hand, must win to retain their title aspirations; they must reduce the difference to only one point in order to keep their opponents under pressure.

 Barcelona is the favorite going into the match, and a draw would probably maintain them at the top due to their superior goal differential.  The question still stands as the football community anxiously awaits the Clásico: will the off-field spectacle overshadow it, or will it provide the exciting football spectacle that supporters long for?