Real Madrid or Barcelona? The Spanish league season gets underway in one day, and that is the question likely to dominate from this weekend all the way through the spring. Though Atlético Madrid and Valencia are capable contenders, most would agree that the perennial rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona is what will likely determine the title at the end of the season. Which side is better? Here is a breakdown of the two teams.
Lionel Messi made history when he scored his 70th and 71st career UEFA Champions League goals helping Barcelona beat Ajax Amsterdam 2-0, helping the Spanish club advance into the Round of 16. Barcelona will be joined by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Ligue 1 champs Paris Saint-Germain and Primeira Liga club Porto in the next phase of the tournament.
Real Madrid cut down Barcelona's lead in the La Liga standings, handing Barca their first loss of the season, as Uruguayan Luis Suarez made his debut, assisting Neymar for a goal after coming off his suspension for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to face up in a few weeks in what will be one of the most hotly anticipated games of the 2014-15 season. Both sides seem to be finding their identity and nowhere is this more important than on defense. Which side possesses the better defense?
Lionel Messi did not have a great World Cup. He pulled off some heroic moments for Argentina in the Group Stage before slowly fading into the background as the competition grew stronger and the pressure mounted. With Neymar and Luis Suarez now added to his club team, Barcelona, will they surpass the four-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner?
There is probably no fiercer rivalry in world soccer than the one between Real Madrid and Barcelona. The two Spanish sides are not only renowned for their respective greatness but also for their tremendous spending habits during transfer windows.
For years, Messi has been the goal-scoring machine that Barcelona has relied upon but the arrival of Luis Suarez could undoubtedly spell trouble for the club and their "Mes que un club" (more than a club) philosophy with the addition the mercurial Uruguayan star known for his off-the-field antics as well as his feats on the pitch.
