What You Could Have Been Doing Rather Than Watching The Classicos

After a highly disappointing series of four Classicos, INFTH has compiled a complete list of things you could have been doing rather than watching the action from Spain.


1. Real Madrid vs Barcelona, La Liga, 1-1, April 16, 2011
An unbelievably dull 1-1 draw, one which had no bearing whatsoever on the title race, Barcelona were already well clear at kick off. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo traded penalties, while Madrid's Raul Albiol was sent off.

Instead of taking in the action from the Bernabeau, you could have a attended the 13th annual Earth Day celebration, or, if you wanted to stick to football, have taken in the FA Cup semi final at Wembley, a 1-0 win for Manchester City over city rivals United.


2. Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Copa Del Rey, 1-0, April 20, 2011

One of the more important Classicos in the series, this tie went into extra time after Madrid had fought, fouled and argued to a 0-0 result. Cristiano Ronaldo's lone headed goal proved to be the difference in extra time, and during the Real open top bus celebrations, Sergio Ramos managed to drop the cup. To be fair, Madrid hadn't won much for a while, his trophy wielding skills were perhaps a wee bit rusty.

Instead of taking in the action from the Mestalla, you could have watched Tottenham and Arsenal play out one of the all time great Premier League matches. Bags of goals and bags of entertainment were produced in a stunning 3-3 draw at the Lane. If you didn't feel up for football, you also could have watched a host of NBA playoff matches, including the Lakers' win over the Hornets.


3. Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Champions League, 0-2, April 27, 2011

By far the most controversial of the four Classicos, Barcelona and Real Madrid cheated and complained for virtually the entire ninety minutes, producing a grotesque spectacle, one which will hopefully never be replicated in the future. A tap in, as well as a moment of brilliance from Lionel Messi led Barca to a victory that left Jose Mourinho fuming.

Didn't fancy watching Spain's finest kick lumps out of each other, you could have celebrated Togolese independence day, commemorated the writing of Beethoven's Fur Liza, or watch Clint Dempsey become the Premier League's top scoring American, he scored twice against Bolton.


4. Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Champions League, 1-1, May 3, 2011

The likely conclusion to a tie that was already won, Barcelona cruised through to the Champions League final, despite being handed a minor scare when Marcello leveled the score with half an hour to go, Pedro had previously given the Catalans the lead.

Didn't feel like bothering to watch the end of a tie that had already been won, you could have reread In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, it was exactly ninety six years ago that the poem was written. Not into literature? You could have taken in yet more basketball, the Heat vs Celtics match was the top billing of Tuesday's playoff games.