Friday, May 18th, 2012
Last season, Real Madrid and Barcelona met each other five times in what for many was clásico overload. With the two clubs set to meet each other at least four times next season, the fixture may start to lose much of its appeal. So if you’re one of those who has had too much clásico, what other games should you look out for next season? Here is my top five alternative clásicos for next season.
Number Five: Cartagena vs Real Murcia
We start our list in Segunda with the return of the Murcia derby between Cartagena and Real Murcia. Last season the clubs were kept apart with Real Murcia in Segunda B and Cartagena a league above in Segunda. However, under the stewardship of Iñaki Alonso, the paprika-men gained automatic promotion back to Segunda while the Efesé just missed out on the promotion play-offs to Primera. The return of the fixture between the clubs from the two main cities of Murcia will be a great boost to the whole region. Both games should have great atmospheres but pay special attention to the fixture in Real Murcia’s 32,000 all seater Nueva Condomina stadium.
Number Four: Rayo Vallecano vs Atlético Madrid
For the first time ever, Madrid will have four sides in La Liga as Rayo Vallecano join Getafe, Real Madrid and Atlético in Primera. A working class, left-wing side from Vallecas, Rayo are guaranteed to clash with Madrid’s two established, right-wing sides. Real Madrid players are guaranteed to receive a hostile reception, as well as shock, when they arrive at Rayo’s small but tight ground. However, if you’re looking for a clash between supporters then watch out for the game against Atlético Madrid. The Frente Alteti are louder, badder and bigger in number than the Ultras Sur of Real and their presence in Vallecas will mean a hot atmosphere in the stands. In the Bukaneros of Rayo, the Atlético ultras will definitely have met their match and I’m sure the police are already making plans to keep things under control. Finally this fixture also stands out more because Rayo have a much greater chance of winning the game.
Number Three: Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad
The Basque derby returned last season but it’s still a game worth looking out for. Possibly the friendliest rivalry in the league, whether in San Sebástian or Bilbao the game is guaranteed to sell out with one of the biggest visiting supports in Spain. Expect to see couples, friends and families with different loyalties sitting together. Both stadiums will be a mesh of the red and white of Athletic and the blue and white of the Txuri-urdin, as well as the green, white and red of the Ikurrina (the flag of the Basque Country). All of that being said, the result most certainly matters. The teams may not hate each other but local pride is at stake as Bizkaia takes on Gipuzkoa and both sides want to win it. Next season’s fixture in San Mamés will definitely be worth catching as it will be the last ever Basque derby in Athletic’s historic stadium.
Number Two: Celta Vigo vs Deportivo La Coruña
Deportivo’s relegation and Celta’s heartache in the play-offs left a lot of people sad but if it’s any consolation both results mean the return of the Galician derby. There was a time, not so long ago, when this fixture was a regular feature in La Liga. However, ever since Celta’s relegation in 2007, the sides have been kept apart. The return of the fixture as a Segunda game between two title contenders adds more spice to the fixture than that of two La Liga strugglers. To date the two clubs have met 64 times with 24 victories a piece and 16 draws. That means bragging rights are very much up for grabs next season when the two most successful clubs in Galicia renew their rivalry.
Number One: Sevilla vs Real Betis
Finally, the number one fixture for next season can only be the Seville derby. After a two season absence Beticos and Sevillistas finally meet again in what is arguably the fiercest rivalry in Spain. Seville, Spain’s fourth largest city, is split down the middle by football. Sevilla may have been the city’s most successful team in recent times but don’t be fooled, Real Betis has a bigger ground than Sevilla and with 259 peñas is estimated to be the sixth most supported team in Spain (two places above Sevilla). Unlike the Basque derby, this fixture is anything but friendly with both sets ultras holding different political philosophies and absolutely no love lost between the fans. Indeed in season 1999/2000, the fans of an already relegated Sevilla demanded their players lose their remaining fixtures against the rivals of relegation threatened Real Betis. In the end both teams went to Segunda with Betis getting anything but neighbourly help from across the city. With both clubs possessing attack minded players, the games in both the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán and the Benito Villamarín should be crackers both on and off the park.
Tags: Basque Derby, Galician Derby, Rayo Vallecano, Real Murcia vs Cartagena, Seville Derby, Spanish derbies
Especially the Madrid one will be interesting. Other than Getafe, all sides have their own character and history. Should be a really interesting set of derbies.
PS: my favourite team, Mallorca, has the honour of playing against Rayo at the opening game of the season. I fear we’ll receive quite an unwarm welcome too with Rayo wanting to prove what they’re worth in the top flight.
You forgot what will likely be the most contested and anticipated Derby in the history of the province of Salamanca. The game between UD Salamanca and CD Guijuelo. Temperatures and anger has already been noted in the respective peñas. There aren’t enough Guardia Civiles in the provicial cuarteles to keep the peace.
I’m particularly looking forward to the Andalucia Oriental derby, between Granada and Malaga.