Barcelona against Real Madrid

Miguel Torres is on for Sergio Ramos.

Eto'o edges past Ramos this time and his cross is cleared by Pepe. Now Iniesta wins a free-kick on the left wing.

Five minutes left for Barcelona, and maybe five minutes left for Frank Rijkaard to save his job. What price Jose Mourinho being the new manager early in 2008?!

Arjen Robben is on for Robinho, who has been excellent, save for the shameless diving.

From the corner the ball breaks for Yaya Toure inside the box but his shot on the turn creeps just wide.

Bojan injects some much needed urgency into Barcelona with a duck inside and a stinging shot which Casillas turns behind for a corner.

Bojan Krkic is on for Xavi as Rijkaard plays his last hand.

Ronaldinho is out of sorts and no mistake. He was one-on-one there with Ramos and made a complete hash of it. His mind looks elsewhere.

Lovely turn from Iniesta who somewhat spoils his break by diving to the turf as soon as he could smell the white line of the penalty area.

Substitution for Madrid. Fernando Gago is on for Wesley Sneijder.

Barcelona are being crowded out in the final third now, Madrid are happy to play solely on the break. Iniesta tries to curl one from distance but Casillas is equal to it.

The skipper's armband goes to Ronaldinho. Can that inspire him to find a goal?

Zambrotta is coming on for Carlos Puyol.

Schuster is winning the tactical battle hands down at present. Barca look short up top and light at the back.

Barca are committing so many men forward Real are breaking at will - they four v two then but Sneijder overran the ball! Disaster!

A quick free-kick finds Giovanni and he strikes a shot which is deflected behind for a corner.

A miserable Christmas is looming for Frank Rijkaard unless his side can conjure something here. He may just find a P45 slipped inside his Xmas card from the President at this rate.

Good work from Marquez releases Giovanni, he finds onaldinho but his shot is high and wide.

Twenty minutes left for Barca to salvage something. It looks pretty unlikely just now in truth..

Sneijder strikes the free-kick, which was dipping, but not enough to trouble Valdes.

Milito is booked after Baptista just toe-poked the ball in front of him and got clattered for his efforts. At the other end Cannavaro is down after a nasty - and late - tackle from Ronaldinho.

Giovanni has filled in at right back while Puyol is off the field getting treatment.

Henry is limbering up. We'll be seeing him soon no doubt.

Rival captain's Raul and Puyol share a full-blooded challenge and the latter is still down after getting a set of studs right in his knee.

Good ball from Sneijder but a foul is given on Milito.

Puyol is outfoxed by another Robinho step-over but the Brazilian then cuts back inside and the momentum is lost. Real have a free-kick though after Abidal fouls Ramos.

Giovanni has his first run but gifts possession to Ramos with his weak centre.

I sense another goal in this game and, as a neutral, I hope Barca get it. Sorry Madrid fans.

Another super break from Madrid, who should be two up by now. Baptista dribbles 40 yards upfield, slides in Van Nistelrooy who looks for Raul in the middle but just over cooks the cross.

Calamity at the back for Barca! Puyol's clearance goes straight to Sneijder who fires in a left-footed shot, which Raul can't turn in.

From the corner Toure meets it and the ball just flashes over Madrid's crossbar.

Ronaldinho curls in a decent ball and Pepe heads behind.

Giovanni is coming on for Barca to replace Deco. The home side also have a free-kick about 45 yards from goal.

Now Ramos has a run down field and shoots low. Valdes claims easily though.

Then at the other end Baptista heads into the area, squares for Robinho whose touch is heavy, he still manages to round Valdes though before crumbling theatrically when Puyol comes to tackle.

A Jekyll and Hyde moment for Iniesta who wrong foots Pepe with a lovely dummy then misjudges his pass to the onrushing Puyol.

Yaya Toure drives right at the heart of Madrid's defence and as the ball breaks Iniesta fires in a left footed drive but it is well collected by Casillas.

That has lifted the home crowd a little.

Eto'o tries to shake Barca out of their malaise with a neat volley but the ball was always heading wide.

All is not well at the Camp Nou. They look disjointed, the crowd is getting restless and there is very little spark at present. Surely it won't be long before Henry or Bojan are called upon.

Robinho displays about five step-overs in a row before a back heel looking for Heinze. The flick is over hit though and Barca have a goal kick.

Decent turn from Xavi but his ball for Eto'o is hopelessly weak. Barca will need better than that if they are to pull things level here.

Good early work from Abidal who whips in a low cross looking for Eto'o. Ramos clears well though.

No changes to report at the break.

We're off again. As it stands Real would open up a seven point gap at the top of the league. Barca have 45 minutes to prevent that and enjoy a Happy Christmas.

Right on half-time Ramos is booked after tugging back Xavi. Hardly a delightfully skilful opening period but still captivating. Back here in 15 then.

Now its Van Nistelrooy's turn to collapse in a heap in a shameful attempt to con the ref into giving a free-kick. He's getting nada off Gonzalez though.

Two minutes of time to be added.

Casillas claims superbly from the corner then releases Robinho who charges upfield and eventually slams in a shot from 20 yards that Valdes grabs at the second attempt.

This time Ronny takes on Ramos and crosses. Heinze heads behind for a corner.

Perhaps that is a sign of how off colour Ronaldinho is this season, throwing himself to ground at the first hint of tackle. Poor.

Ronaldinho hurls himself to the floor - in desperation more than anything - as he edged into the area. There was no contact at all and the Brazilian is fortunate not to booked for that.

Every stray pass is being met with a huge sigh from the home crowd now. Deco and Ronaldinho don't look like their normal lively selves that's for sure.

Ooh, Abidal nearly commits suicide with a risky ball across his own area! Van Nistelrooy was inches away from pinching that!

Stat attack! Madrid haven't lost this season if they have been leading at half time!

An instant riposte before half-time must be the aim for the home side now.

Madrid will be happy to sit and soak it up now. They have their goal and it is Barcelona who are now under tremendous pressure.

You could hear a pin drop in stadium now! Madrid apparently have 500 fans in the 98,000 sell out crowd but you can't even hear them!

Golasso!! Julio Baptista bursts into the area after a Van Nistelrooy flick and smashes a half-volley into the top corner. The Camp Nou is stunned. Barca 0-1 Madrid.

Ramos was fouled in the area at the end of that move and he looks in a bit of trouble on the sidelines.

Great break from Iniesta! He beats Cannavaro and squares the ball for Eto'o, but he misses his kick before the ball falls to Ronaldinho and Casillas parries away his effort. Great move!

Pepe hasn't had the greatest of starts so far and he was careless in possession again then, the Barca move culminates in a strike from Xavi which Casillas holds firmly.

Barca are now playing like a team who needs all three points and it has been a while since Madrid have bared their attacking teeth.

The game has come alive all of a sudden!

From the corner Eto'o misses a free header, then Ronaldinho beats Ramos for the first time in the game but just can't find a team mate with his cross.

Great work from Iker Casillas! He rushed out to meet Eto's as Xavi put him through and timed it perfectly, then he managed to smuggle the ball out for a corner as Iniesta tried to pounce.

Sneijder takes the free-kick, Valdes comes but doesn't get anything on it and the ball flicks behind for a goal kick. Dodgy dodgy from the Barca stopper.

Just as I say that Puyol is booked for chopping down Robinho in full flight! Yaya Toure is lucky to escape too as he blasted the ball at Robinho after the free-kick had been awarded.

It's all a bit stop start at present. Referee Mejuto Gonzalez may not be booking anyone but he's still blowing for petty fouls left, right and centre.

This last ten minutes has been scrappy and poor. Come on chaps, onwards and upwards.

Ronaldinho doesn't look as confident as he usually does - he's had plenty of opportunity to run Sergio Ramos but he's chosen not to so far.

The injured Thierry Henry looks a bit cheesed off at having to watch the game from the bench. I bet he's cursing his poorly back.

What this game needs is a goal. That's the devastating insight you get from ESPN.....

Heinze nearly talks himself into a booking by vehemently protesting at the lack of a free-kick for the early 'bodycheck' incident. The ref has kept his cards close to his chest pocket so far though.

Neat move from Madrid culminating in a charge forward from Ramos before Abidal bodychecked him out of the way. Unbelievably the referee doesn't award a free-kick!

Robinho just strays offside as Ramos fired a ball forward.

We have entered he game's first lull after that frantic start, but ominously for Madrid Ronaldinho is seeing much more of the ball now.

Barca have effectively set up with three strikers - Eto'o as the target man and Iniesta and Ronaldinho supporting from either flank. Xavi has been bursting through from midfield already though.

Sloppy play from both teams, Barca's short corner is wasted then Heinze tries an ambitious cross-field ball as Madrid broke clear.

The home side have found their feet now and Xavi's long ball just can't be collected by Iniesta, then Eto's shot is blocked behind for a corner.

At t'other end Eto'o is released by Iniesta but his lack of match sharpness is evident given the ease with which Cannavaro dispossessed him.

Free kick for Madrid taken by Sneijder, and Pepe galnces a header into the arms of a thankful Valdes.

Rijkaard is very animated on the touchline, in direct contrast to his opposing boss, his system isn't working so far as his central midfielders can't get hold of the ball.

Schuster is looking very calm, and why not, he is used to this stadium having played for Barca for eight years, in the same side as Maradona no less.

Now Cannavaro goes down after a challenge from Xavi and we can all take a breath....

First big chance! Great through ball from Raul, Van Nistelrooy was clear (and looked offside) before unleashing a right foot shot that just crept past Valdes' far post. So close.

Ronaldinho has hardly touched the ball in the opening eight minutes - it's been all Madrid.

Things have calmed down somewhat now and the teams are beginning to look a tad more comfortable on the ball. An early goal would be nice wouldn't it?

Deco charges forward there and Diarra is lucky to escape a booking as he lunges in to bring him down.

Great saving tackle from Puyol as Robinho twisted and turned on the box edge. Van Nistelrooy was free if the curly haired stalwart hadn't leapt in to avert the danger.

Poor ball from Baptista as Madrid looked to counter again. They have certainly looked the more assured thus far...

There are already a few tasty challenges flying in - ala an English derby - and thankfully the referee looks like he'll let a few early ones go.

It is Madrid who make the first break but Van Nistelrooy elects to shoot from distance when Robinho was well placed. That'll be the nerves Ruud..

A chorus of whistles and boos erupt as Real get their first touch...

Rijkaard and Schuster shake hands and we're all set.....we're off!

The stadium is packed with 98,000 fans, the atmosphere is absolutely electric and there are blue and red flags fluttering everywhere. Welcome to one of the biggest games world football has to offer: Barcelona Vs Real Madrid. It's live on ESPN, with me Chris Murphy, and kick off is just seconds away....

Messi is out of course, but Deco and Eto'o begin the game; Madrid start with Raul, Robinho and Van Nistelrooy leading the line.

Real Madrid visit the Catalans with a four point lead at the top of La Liga, so the emphasis is on the home side to come out and dominate from the off. And despite the speculation that Ronaldinho would be left on the bench after yet another row with Rijkaard, he starts.

Let me immediately apologise for my poor Spanish and explain that was an attempt to say welcome to ESPN's live commentary on Barcelona v Real Madrid, Spain's 'el clasico'. What a game we have in prospect at the Camp Nou.

Buenas noches, bienvenido a este commentario en vivo entre Barcelona y Real Madrid - 'el clasico'.

A miserable Christmas is looming for Frank Rijkaard unless his side can conjure something here. He may just find a P45 slipped inside his Xmas card from the President at this rate.

Good work from Marquez releases Giovanni, he finds onaldinho but his shot is high and wide.

Twenty minutes left for Barca to salvage something. It looks pretty unlikely just now in truth..

Sneijder strikes the free-kick, which was dipping, but not enough to trouble Valdes.

Milito is booked after Baptista just toe-poked the ball in front of him and got clattered for his efforts. At the other end Cannavaro is down after a nasty - and late - tackle from Ronaldinho.

Giovanni has filled in at right back while Puyol is off the field getting treatment.

Henry is limbering up. We'll be seeing him soon no doubt.

Rival captain's Raul and Puyol share a full-blooded challenge and the latter is still down after getting a set of studs right in his knee.

Good ball from Sneijder but a foul is given on Milito.

Puyol is outfoxed by another Robinho step-over but the Brazilian then cuts back inside and the momentum is lost. Real have a free-kick though after Abidal fouls Ramos.

Giovanni has his first run but gifts possession to Ramos with his weak centre.

I sense another goal in this game and, as a neutral, I hope Barca get it. Sorry Madrid fans.

Another super break from Madrid, who should be two up by now. Baptista dribbles 40 yards upfield, slides in Van Nistelrooy who looks for Raul in the middle but just over cooks the cross.

Calamity at the back for Barca! Puyol's clearance goes straight to Sneijder who fires in a left-footed shot, which Raul can't turn in.

From the corner Toure meets it and the ball just flashes over Madrid's crossbar.

Ronaldinho curls in a decent ball and Pepe heads behind.

Giovanni is coming on for Barca to replace Deco. The home side also have a free-kick about 45 yards from goal.

Now Ramos has a run down field and shoots low. Valdes claims easily though.

Then at the other end Baptista heads into the area, squares for Robinho whose touch is heavy, he still manages to round Valdes though before crumbling theatrically when Puyol comes to tackle.

A Jekyll and Hyde moment for Iniesta who wrong foots Pepe with a lovely dummy then misjudges his pass to the onrushing Puyol.

Yaya Toure drives right at the heart of Madrid's defence and as the ball breaks Iniesta fires in a left footed drive but it is well collected by Casillas.

That has lifted the home crowd a little.

Eto'o tries to shake Barca out of their malaise with a neat volley but the ball was always heading wide.

All is not well at the Camp Nou. They look disjointed, the crowd is getting restless and there is very little spark at present. Surely it won't be long before Henry or Bojan are called upon.

Robinho displays about five step-overs in a row before a back heel looking for Heinze. The flick is over hit though and Barca have a goal kick.

Decent turn from Xavi but his ball for Eto'o is hopelessly weak. Barca will need better than that if they are to pull things level here.

Good early work from Abidal who whips in a low cross looking for Eto'o. Ramos clears well though.

No changes to report at the break.

We're off again. As it stands Real would open up a seven point gap at the top of the league. Barca have 45 minutes to prevent that and enjoy a Happy Christmas.

Right on half-time Ramos is booked after tugging back Xavi. Hardly a delightfully skilful opening period but still captivating. Back here in 15 then.

Now its Van Nistelrooy's turn to collapse in a heap in a shameful attempt to con the ref into giving a free-kick. He's getting nada off Gonzalez though.

Two minutes of time to be added.

Casillas claims superbly from the corner then releases Robinho who charges upfield and eventually slams in a shot from 20 yards that Valdes grabs at the second attempt.

This time Ronny takes on Ramos and crosses. Heinze heads behind for a corner.

Perhaps that is a sign of how off colour Ronaldinho is this season, throwing himself to ground at the first hint of tackle. Poor.

Ronaldinho hurls himself to the floor - in desperation more than anything - as he edged into the area. There was no contact at all and the Brazilian is fortunate not to booked for that.

Every stray pass is being met with a huge sigh from the home crowd now. Deco and Ronaldinho don't look like their normal lively selves that's for sure.

Ooh, Abidal nearly commits suicide with a risky ball across his own area! Van Nistelrooy was inches away from pinching that!

Stat attack! Madrid haven't lost this season if they have been leading at half time!

An instant riposte before half-time must be the aim for the home side now.

Madrid will be happy to sit and soak it up now. They have their goal and it is Barcelona who are now under tremendous pressure.

You could hear a pin drop in stadium now! Madrid apparently have 500 fans in the 98,000 sell out crowd but you can't even hear them!

Golasso!! Julio Baptista bursts into the area after a Van Nistelrooy flick and smashes a half-volley into the top corner. The Camp Nou is stunned. Barca 0-1 Madrid.

Ramos was fouled in the area at the end of that move and he looks in a bit of trouble on the sidelines.

Great break from Iniesta! He beats Cannavaro and squares the ball for Eto'o, but he misses his kick before the ball falls to Ronaldinho and Casillas parries away his effort. Great move!

Pepe hasn't had the greatest of starts so far and he was careless in possession again then, the Barca move culminates in a strike from Xavi which Casillas holds firmly.

Barca are now playing like a team who needs all three points and it has been a while since Madrid have bared their attacking teeth.

The game has come alive all of a sudden!

From the corner Eto'o misses a free header, then Ronaldinho beats Ramos for the first time in the game but just can't find a team mate with his cross.

Great work from Iker Casillas! He rushed out to meet Eto's as Xavi put him through and timed it perfectly, then he managed to smuggle the ball out for a corner as Iniesta tried to pounce.

Sneijder takes the free-kick, Valdes comes but doesn't get anything on it and the ball flicks behind for a goal kick. Dodgy dodgy from the Barca stopper.

Just as I say that Puyol is booked for chopping down Robinho in full flight! Yaya Toure is lucky to escape too as he blasted the ball at Robinho after the free-kick had been awarded.

It's all a bit stop start at present. Referee Mejuto Gonzalez may not be booking anyone but he's still blowing for petty fouls left, right and centre.

This last ten minutes has been scrappy and poor. Come on chaps, onwards and upwards.

Ronaldinho doesn't look as confident as he usually does - he's had plenty of opportunity to run Sergio Ramos but he's chosen not to so far.

The injured Thierry Henry looks a bit cheesed off at having to watch the game from the bench. I bet he's cursing his poorly back.

What this game needs is a goal. That's the devastating insight you get from ESPN.....

Heinze nearly talks himself into a booking by vehemently protesting at the lack of a free-kick for the early 'bodycheck' incident. The ref has kept his cards close to his chest pocket so far though.

Neat move from Madrid culminating in a charge forward from Ramos before Abidal bodychecked him out of the way. Unbelievably the referee doesn't award a free-kick!

Robinho just strays offside as Ramos fired a ball forward.

We have entered he game's first lull after that frantic start, but ominously for Madrid Ronaldinho is seeing much more of the ball now.

Barca have effectively set up with three strikers - Eto'o as the target man and Iniesta and Ronaldinho supporting from either flank. Xavi has been bursting through from midfield already though.

Sloppy play from both teams, Barca's short corner is wasted then Heinze tries an ambitious cross-field ball as Madrid broke clear.

The home side have found their feet now and Xavi's long ball just can't be collected by Iniesta, then Eto's shot is blocked behind for a corner.

At t'other end Eto'o is released by Iniesta but his lack of match sharpness is evident given the ease with which Cannavaro dispossessed him.

Free kick for Madrid taken by Sneijder, and Pepe galnces a header into the arms of a thankful Valdes.

Rijkaard is very animated on the touchline, in direct contrast to his opposing boss, his system isn't working so far as his central midfielders can't get hold of the ball.

Schuster is looking very calm, and why not, he is used to this stadium having played for Barca for eight years, in the same side as Maradona no less.

Now Cannavaro goes down after a challenge from Xavi and we can all take a breath....

First big chance! Great through ball from Raul, Van Nistelrooy was clear (and looked offside) before unleashing a right foot shot that just crept past Valdes' far post. So close.

Ronaldinho has hardly touched the ball in the opening eight minutes - it's been all Madrid.

Things have calmed down somewhat now and the teams are beginning to look a tad more comfortable on the ball. An early goal would be nice wouldn't it?

Deco charges forward there and Diarra is lucky to escape a booking as he lunges in to bring him down.

Great saving tackle from Puyol as Robinho twisted and turned on the box edge. Van Nistelrooy was free if the curly haired stalwart hadn't leapt in to avert the danger.

Poor ball from Baptista as Madrid looked to counter again. They have certainly looked the more assured thus far...

There are already a few tasty challenges flying in - ala an English derby - and thankfully the referee looks like he'll let a few early ones go.

It is Madrid who make the first break but Van Nistelrooy elects to shoot from distance when Robinho was well placed. That'll be the nerves Ruud..

A chorus of whistles and boos erupt as Real get their first touch...

Rijkaard and Schuster shake hands and we're all set.....we're off!

The stadium is packed with 98,000 fans, the atmosphere is absolutely electric and there are blue and red flags fluttering everywhere. Welcome to one of the biggest games world football has to offer: Barcelona Vs Real Madrid. It's live on ESPN, with me Chris Murphy, and kick off is just seconds away....

Messi is out of course, but Deco and Eto'o begin the game; Madrid start with Raul, Robinho and Van Nistelrooy leading the line.

Real Madrid visit the Catalans with a four point lead at the top of La Liga, so the emphasis is on the home side to come out and dominate from the off. And despite the speculation that Ronaldinho would be left on the bench after yet another row with Rijkaard, he starts.

Let me immediately apologise for my poor Spanish and explain that was an attempt to say welcome to ESPN's live commentary on Barcelona v Real Madrid, Spain's 'el clasico'. What a game we have in prospect at the Camp Nou.

Buenas noches, bienvenido a este commentario en vivo entre Barcelona y Real Madrid - 'el clasico'.