Football: Barcelona, Real in explosive clash

MADRID: Barcelona and Real Madrid, whose five meetings last season produced fireworks on and off the pitch, clash in a potentially explosive Spanish Super Cup first-leg today, a crucial marker for the season ahead. Barcelona swept to a La Liga-Champions League double last time out, while Real meanwhile, had to settle for the Spanish Cup which was at least won with victory over their bitter rivals. If Sergio Ramos overcomes a niggling back problem Madrid could field the same side that lost 5-0 to Barcelona in La Liga last November.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2011.