Real Madrid will enter the Nou Camp next weekend as the leaders of La Liga after a 1-0 victory Saturday, coupled with a Barcelona draw, leaves Los Blancos alone at the top of the table, on twenty-eight points through eleven matches. Madrid’s fine form early in the match was overshadowed by their lack of ability to finish and overall pedestrian showing against a club who will be fighting to remain in the league come May. Regardless, when Pellegrini’s men take the pitch for the highly anticipated Clasico in a week, they will do so as leaders of La Liga.

After a brief break for the conclusion of World Cup qualifying, Real Madrid came out of the gate firing on all cylinders. The first half of the game was played entirely in Santader’s defensive half, the home side creating a plethora of opportunities that could have easily put the game out of reach within the first thirty minutes; however, the Cantabrian side, thanks to some fine goalkeeping, only conceded once to Madrid’s onslaught. After the final whistle, Madrid had earned three points, the lead of La Liga but their performance, overall, was nothing special. As has become a reoccurring theme at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid played magnificent football in the first half. Great ball movement, possession, multiple chances on goal but the second half saw a loss of form from the boys in white. The positive result is what matters, but Real is running out of time to fine tune their form. It appears that Pellegrini has found consistency with his starting eleven and consequently Gonzalo Higuain has been finding the back of the net more. Following Madrid’s development from the onset of the season should give fans hope for trophies come May if the squad can continue progressing at this pace. Save a dreadfully embarrassing Copa del Rey exit, Real’s form has been improving gradually as the players have gotten accustomed to each other and the style of their new manager.

The next fortnight will be incredibly important for Los Blancos. Even though they are atop their group in the Champions League, advancement to the knock out round is not a guarantee. Real, Marseilles, and AC Milan are all within one point of each other with only two teams advancing to the next stage of the tournament. FC Zurich comes to the Spanish capital this Wednesday with a trip to Marseilles for the Los Blancos the following week, the latter possibly deciding Real’s future in European competition.

November 29th, Real and Barcelona’s first meeting of the season, has been a date etched on the minds of all Spanish football fans, regardless of loyalties, since the schedules were announced. The league will not be won or lost next Sunday but the Clasico will provide an ample setting for either team to make a statement. Cristiano Ronaldo should be back from injury, barring any last minute setbacks, to provide the visitors with some extra flair. Conversely, Barcelona striker Leo Messi may be forced out of the game by injury after being substituted for during his clubs draw this Saturday. The absence of the Argentine international would greatly hinder Barca’s attack against Madrid’s much-maligned defensive unit; the match up that I believe will ultimately decide the outcome of the fixture. For now, Los Blancos must take it one game at a time with a positive result crucial on Wednesday if Real Madrid wish to keep European dreams alive.