La Liga: The timing could not have been better. If Ruud van Nistelrooy felt a twang of sadness at missing out on Liverpool-Manchester United, compensation comes with the biggest game in the universe.
As the Dutchman's former team-mates kick-off against their bitterest rivals at Old Trafford tomorrow afternoon, he will be counting down to Real Madrid versus Barcelona at the Bernabeu. David Beckham, however, will only be among the substitutes, missing his first clasico kick-off since joining Real in 2003.
If Alex Ferguson thought he was cutting out the dead wood when he released van Nistelrooy for £10.3 million in the summer, the Dutchman has set out to prove him wrong. He has hit three goals in six league games and added a wonderful chip in midweek, taking his Champions League tally to 50.
Ever-present this season, he has been one of the few men not to be affected by Fabio Capello's rotation policy. "Ruud brings the goals we needed," said Real's captain Raul, "but it's not just the goals: he brings so much more as well." And reward comes in the shape of Spain's biannual "game of the century".
"I imagine it will be like a Manchester United v Liverpool game. I've played in lots of those matches and the atmosphere is always really special. For lots of people it is their entire life," van Nistelrooy said. "But Madrid v Barcelona is the match the whole world will be watching. It's the biggest game in the universe."
Raul warned that victory is vital as defeat would leave Real eight points behind the champions. And yet Madrid are the favourites after a 4-1 win over Steaua Bucharest in midweek while Barcelona lost at Chelsea. Raul said he had not even seen the game; van Nistelrooy did, but warned: "The Chelsea game is nothing to do with it. Barca will already have forgotten about that game."
Van Nistelrooy and Raul also had words of praise for Beckham, who is set to start as a substitute for the fifth time in six games with Jose Antonio Reyes or Robinho chosen ahead of him on the right wing.
"David has not played as much as he would like, but I am sure that he will play much more as the season goes on," said Raul. "We are going to need the entire squad and David is an important player for us."
Van Nistelrooy added: "Beckham's attitude is admirable. He is being very positive. He is not enjoying being on the bench but you should see him in the dressingroom, the way he supports his team-mates. And when he comes on for 10 or 20 minutes he always responds well and only thinks of the team. It is important for the club that he stays. He wants to stay and I know he is very happy here."
After back-to-back league titles and victory in the Champions League last season, Barcelona appear to have lost some of their edge.
A humiliating 3-0 defeat by Sevilla in the European Super Cup was an early sign of vulnerability and Wednesday's morale-sapping 1-0 setback at Chelsea exposed another chink in the previously impervious Barcelona armour.
Without injured striker Samuel Eto'o, Barca no longer find it so easy to punch holes in opposition defences.
Also, coaches like Juande Ramos and Jose Mourinho have shown that tight marking of Ronaldinho and suffocating pressure in midfield are the secret to success against the Catalans.
Although they are not firing on all cylinders, Frank Rijkaard's side still have a three-point lead at the top of the Primera Liga, and are five points clear of Real after last Sunday's morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Sevilla.
Barca know another victory over Real will dispel any doubts about the team.
"The Chelsea defeat was an accident against a very good team, nothing more," said captain Carles Puyol. "Things can be sorted out with a victory at the Bernabeu."
Real Madrid v Barcelona
Venue: Bernabeu
Kick-off: Sunday, 8.0pm
On TV: Sky Sports 1
- Guardian Service
