10.07.2009 16:51
Barça v Madrid for the anniversary
Jordi Feu
The 2009/10 league fixture list has thrown up a clásico between Barça and Real Madrid to coincide with the club’s 110th anniversary on November 29, 2009.
The big game is the twelfth of the campaign, and either on the 28th or 29th of the month, depending
on television, there will be a dual motive for celebrations at the Camp Nou because the weekend
also marks the club’s 110th anniversary.
Another classic game a week earlier
Barça will play that game a week after another of the tournament’s historic encounters
– the trip to play the other of the three teams that have never been relegated out of the top
flight, Athletic Bilbao, in what is always a big occasion at San Mamés.
Midweek game after
Three days after the clash with Madrid, Barça are set to play newly
promoted Xerez. The game will be brought forward to give the squad time to travel to Abu Dhabi and
take part in the Clubs World Cup. After playing the Andalusians, Guardiola and his team’s
next league outing is away to Deportivo in La Coruña.
Ten years on from the Centenary
The Barça v Madrid game comes eleven years after the year-long anniversary celebrations for under
way, when Barça also had a game against a Madrid team, but in that case Atlético. The build-up to
the game was celebrated in grand style at the stadium, including a memorable performance from local
singer Joan Manel Serrat. But the day ended on a sour note, for Barça were beaten 1-0, with the
sole goal of the game coming from the penalty spot, converted by Jugovic.