FOR A FEW years, it felt as if Barcelona-Real Marid games were the epicentre of elite football.
Particularly when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo — widely regarded as the two greatest footballers of their generation — were in their prime, El Clasico felt like appointment viewing for any self-respecting football fan.
It was simply a chance to watch not just Ronaldo and Messi, but many of the world’s best players on the pitch at the same time.
Yet in more recent years, La Liga’s biggest derby has lost some of its lustre.
Real Madrid can still claim to be one of the best sides in the world — they have, after all, won two of the last three Champions League trophies.
Yet Barcelona are now a shadow of the Catalan side’s 2011 peak under Pep Guardiola and only starting to recover from years of financial mismanagement and poor decision-making at boardroom level.
These days, the closest equivalent to what Barcelona-Real Madrid represented in its pomp is surely Man City-Arsenal.
There are only a handful of sides that are realistically in with a chance of winning the Champions League this season, and these two Premier League sides are among the few candidates.
And as with El Clasico roughly a decade ago, today’s clash between the Premier League’s best sides over the last two seasons will feature several of the world’s top players.
There is a strong case to be made that Arsenal have both the strongest backline in Europe and a player, William Saliba, who is at least in the conversation for best defender in the world.
Just two points separated these two rivals last season as Man City secured an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title.
A similarly marginal five points was the difference between City and Arsenal during the 2022-23 campaign, as the Gunners stuttered badly with the finishing line in sight.
One of the most impressive aspects of Mikel Arteta’s men’s near miss last season was how formidable a defensive outfit they became.
Arsenal conceded just 29 goals in 38 matches — 14 fewer than the previous season and a superior record to any other side in the top flight.
Saliba has been arguably the team’s key figure and a transformative player who has helped turn them from top-four hopefuls to title contenders.
The 23-year-old is only now in his third season of playing regularly with the Gunners. In five games, they only conceded once, with the France international completing every minute.
The Real Madrid-linked star similarly played all 38 matches in the last campaign. And tellingly, an injury suffered towards the end of the 2022-23 campaign coincided with the team’s dip in form.
Arsenal have invariably been clinical in the attacking third under Arteta, but Saliba has been integral in giving them an edge over their main rivals in the defensive part of the field.
Yet there is an argument to be made that building the team around Saliba and adhering to an increasingly pragmatic approach could prove costly at times.
Arsenal earned two clean sheets in two games against Man City last season, beating them 1-0 at home and drawing 0-0 away.
The North London club reacted to that point at the Etihad last March as if it were a victory.
But in the end, it cost them the league. Could Arteta have trusted their attacking players more to win them the game and played adventurously?
In response to any criticism, the Spanish coach might point to the 2022-23 season.
During that campaign, again their failure to claim enough points against City proved the difference between them winning and losing the title.
And in those fixtures, they tried a more open game plan. The result was 3-1 and 4-1 defeats in the respective fixtures, games that were all too reminiscent of the old, softer version of Arsenal towards the end of the Arsene Wenger era when they compulsively gave goals away cheaply.
The Gunners have toughened up since then, with Saliba to the fore.
Yet just as Arsenal have evolved significantly over the past two seasons, so have Man City.
The main reason, of course, has been the signing of superstar striker Erling Haaland.
Just as Saliba transformed Arsenal, the Norwegian has drastically impacted the way Guardiola’s team play.
Never has the manager implemented such a direct, physical style and this approach is primarily to get the best out of Haaland.
And what some initially speculated was a gamble has paid dividends. Just a year older than Saliba at 24, in his two full seasons in English football, the Norway international has finished top scorer in the Premier League on both occasions with 36 and 27 goals.
Few would bet against him repeating the feat this season. The former Dortmund star already has nine goals from four matches, a third of what he managed in the entirety of last season and leaving him six ahead of his nearest rivals.
Yet Arsenal were one of the few teams Haaland struggled against last year. In two games, he failed to find the net once, with the latter display prompting a memorable Roy Keane criticism. In contrast, he netted in both City’s wins during the 2022-23 campaign.
Whether or not Saliba and his teammates can combat Haaland today will likely again be a primary factor in determining the outcome.
It brings us back to the Barcelona-Real Madrid comparison and the essential difference with those classics of a bygone era.
Whereas the La Liga contests were often thrillers, the expectation is that today’s game will be another cagey affair — just like the two fixtures last season.
A week ago, Arsenal beat Tottenham with just 36% possession in a tight game of few chances. “Sometimes to win you have to do the ugly things and they love to do that,” Arteta said after a performance more reminiscent of a Jose Mourinho or George Graham team than his one-time mentor Guardiola.
Even Guardiola’s City are a mixture of technical and physical brilliance — in last season’s fixture, the coach played with four central defenders (Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Joško Gvardiol and Manuel Akanji) as well as two primarily defensive midfielders (Rodri and Mateo Kovačić) — a big difference to the Barca glory days with their less physically imposing midfield encompassing Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.
So despite both coaches originally coming through the Barcelona system, this crucial early-season clash is unlikely to produce the type of beautiful football the Catalan outfit are famous for. Instead, it will be cat and mouse, defence against attack, Haaland versus Saliba.
Also shame on the Donegal supporters leaving early, same people scrambling for All-Ireland tickets and getting drunk and showing up 10 minutes into the final last year. After all these boys have given in the last 3 years, to be leaving at half-time, shame on them. Fair play to the majority who stayed.
Yeah cus it was just the Donegal fans who drank last year.
Every set of fans will have drunk yobs at the games
What a stupid comment
Where did I say it was just Donegal fans drinking? I said the fans leaving at half-time are the same idiots showing up drunk 10 minutes into the final last year. Hopping on the bandwagon but first sign of trouble and out the door, need to beat the crowd to Quinns after all.
Well said Monor! Considering the effort Donegal put in last year and the joy they brought their fans, the least the fans could have done was show them enough respect to stay to the end and maybe even show some appreciation? As a Mayoman I’m not surprised we won but surprised at the capitulation of Donegal. Nothing won yet though
There was as many Mayo fans leaving early. It started bucketing down. I wouldn’t blame either set of fans. Long journey home lads!
Well done Mayo.!!
As a Donegal man it shows that systems are no substitute for depth and breadth of talent in a squad, the stamp was a disgrace, hope Mayo get as much enjoyment this year as we did last
Great win mayo. Great clean football apiary from terrible stamp. Hopefully he will be banned for 1 year.
It will be interesting to see the battle vs Tyrone.
Magnificent Mayo vs. Tuggish Tyrone
lads i thought donegal was the team of the season last year they even beat out kk for this title ,so much for there one in row and jimmy winning matches.
Watched this with my friend who’s mayo
Great win by Mayo. That was tough to take – sat to the end with my mate who’s father a Mayoman passed away recently – delighted for him and I’ll be back to support them against Tyrone – only time I’d support a team against an Ulster side. I hope they are brought back to earth after that and really do the business later this year.
As for Donegal we’ll see next year if they regain the hunger – they are one of the hardest working groups on the country and with talent to burn. They need a few new players to come through though soon though.
Congrats as Donegal fan hope u win Sam for the west
Day to remember for Mayo fans, but we’ve won nothing yet and need to keep the feet on the ground! Tyrone RFC won’t let us play like that in 3 weeks!
ahhh here i would classify one tackle from the man of the match as a team of RFC yet lads! nice win for mayo all the same!
If it was only one tackle I’d agree with you, but the last 10 minutes against Meath and Monaghan were a disgrace!
Would have liked mcGuinness’ response to the stamp after all he said during the week. Aidan o Sheas preformance was the best I’ve ever seen from a mayo player
Ah Keith, he had a mighty game yet but he has many years of graft ahead of him to be in the same sentence as Willie Joe or MacDonald! Let’s not lose the run of ourselves!
Poor coverage. Tv3 missed the obvious question for McGuinness after his mind games during the week. What about the stamp, Jimmy?
Massive congrats to Mayo, as I had mentioned on these pages I thought Mayo would have the forwards to punish us unlike Monaghan and Down. Hope you go on to win the thing now.
Unlike Monaghan and down. What u going on about. Didn’t Monaghan beat ye. Dear oh dear…
I’m on about the scoreline, not the result. Was that so hard to understand, honestly?
Jimmys buying tissues, Jimmys wiping tears , Jimmy won’t see Sam again for another 20 years!
:-)
Absolutely fantastic result for Mayo and the country. Thank God that Donegal and McGuinness are silenced. Hope Mayo go all the way!
Sorry just said it twice to emphasise my feelings ;)
No harm, it was a good point!
Say it again
MAYO mean BUSINESS!!!!!!!
Not a fan of McGuinness but he showed a bit of class in the way he conducted himself after the match.
When his chance came he took it…. Hopefully Mayo can do the same this year.
Well said. If you know donegal’s footballing history you’d recognise him as a bit of a hero – few could have as much love and dedication to the sport and their county.
Absolutely fantastic result, thank god Donegal and McGuinness are silenced. Hope Mayo go all the way!
Would love a mayo vs Dublin final
Up Mayo!!
I presume the red thumbs are from Donegal?
i wouldnt think so
To those mentioning the stamp, I think there’s a clear difference between going out and specifically targeting a player with a heavy hit and what McGee did. McGee has done that before when we’ve been hammered, in Crossmaglen he got sent off for an off the ball incident as well, I wasn’t surprised in anyway that he got sent off. It’s not a tactical, cynical thing and I’m sure Jim would have said as much. It wasn’t anything to do with “physicality” either, it was McGee being petulant at the result and kicking out stupidly. Deserved red card but completely irrelevant to the debate of physicality and targeting players in the game.
Totally agree!
More of a step than a stamp
so happy for the mayo lads-result!
The best team won today, Mayo were brilliant, I hope they go on to win the All Ireland they deserve it
Jimmy s winning matches.Not anymore and Thank God its so .Goodbye Donegal and their #pukefootball. Over the moon . #Upthedubs
Mayo v Kerry Final and you Puke Dubs will just be going home crying
Just like wee Jimmy!
You’re dreaming but even if that happens were still all you bitter folk will have to talk about.
Coybib
We will be Back!!! ;)
Its a game. After failure you learn and hopefully you succeed like Mayo did today. Jimmy is still a great man and Donegal are tired but will learn from their failure today so try and be gracious in your win just as Jim and the team were in defeat. So why don’t some of you knobs that are slagging “Jimmys song” go and write one of your own. Do yous know “the lonely sheep on the mountain?” It goes ” Baaaaaaaaah” .;-)) Feel better now. :-)
You don’t really sound too gracious in defeat there yourself in fairness…
Ah Jaysus allow me one day after that defeat. Well done Mayo. Better team. No denying. But think how ye felt after losing All Ireland we feel like that now. That is all, no need for some “sports fans” to rub it in.
So my prediction for a Kerry vs Mayo final is still on. :)
I think you are dreaming of you think Kerry will beat v Dublin
A lot of hostility here tonight. First off as a Mayo supporter I am thrilled with today’s result and performance wise it was superb. Commiserations to Donegal, last weeks media tactics aside Jimmy was graceful in defeat. I assume we are all GAA heads here so we have to give credit to Donegal for their victory last year, it’s an achievement and dream Mayo have been seeking for years!
If any team was to beat us last year it was nice to see someone other than the usual suspects! We can’t ever take that away from Donegal, two quick goals and that was that!
As much as it pains me to even bring it up, Mayo have be destroyed by Kerry in Croke Park, it’s heartbreaking, so let’s not kick a team when they are down!
So once again, my heart goes out to Donegal and their supporters who made the 4 hour drive down! I wish them luck for next year and I’m praying this is our time to shine!
Dream, believe, achieve!
Maigh Eo Abú!
Fair play to ya Trina, true fans like yourself are the ones I’ll be delighted for if Mayo go all the way! A few eejits should never tar the whole fanbase and that goes for all counties!
Thanks! Isn’t that what it’s all about! :)
A good team is Mayo but I think the Dublin lads will be the All Ireland champs.By the way its great to see all the supporters geting on together except some of our Dubs fans can be a bit aggressive so I hope they don’t let down the team.
One of the best games for mayo ‘but not the same Donegal team we played last year .but mayo have come on over the last year and if the go on to win it now would be mighty but its the best team on the day as it always is . If the the mayo boys play like this again then Were in for a good semi and final up mayo fell sad for Donegal lads
Another mass would’ve helped I think…
Going to be a Tyrone, Dublin final with Tyrone winning :)
right dream on mayo for Sam
Dream on yourself Orla. Mayo are serial chokers on the big day. I predict big wins for Dublin against Kerry and Mayo. Gonna have to get bigger registration plates this year for 13 D SAM & LIAM!!! Up de Dubs :)
Congrats to Mayo. From a Donegal perspective it was difficult to watch but I doubt that anyone could deny that Mayo were in a different class today. I hope they continue with their success and go all the way.
Dublin v mayo final
well done Mayo
Mother of god , who saw that coming ?
Great game of football, the stamp was has no place in sport at all. O’Sheas red was more silly tan cynical to be fair.
Even with a 12 point lead at half time, I was nervous expecting a Donegal fight back, but Mayo were clinical and went for the jugular.
One thing is for sure, can’t see Tyrone giving us the same amount of space, but by god it promises to be some match
Jimmy’s buying hankies,
Jimmy’s wiping tears,
Jimmy won’t see Sam,
For another 50 years .
Very good Yeats
http://www.todayfm.com/reader/421.439/936/0/
Here’s Jimmy for you fans out there! Glad you’re all happy big bad donegal is out of the way
Mayo were magnificent. Very enjoyable to watch. Jim Mc Guinness was also v gracious in defeat. Mayos big risk now however is that they’ve reached their peak with this sweet revenge, and that such revenge will be like an all Ireland to them, when nothing at all is won yet. Monaghan peaked in Ulster final, and look what happened to them. Whatever happens the next day, Tyrone will not be lying down for them. By hook or by crook they WILL stay in the game at all costs, @ la v Monaghan, @ la their minors v Kerry today, and whoever beats them or Dublin will b worth their all Ireland ten times over. Finally and crucially, Mayo just had one of those days where they could do no wrong today. Everything they touched turned to scoring gold; bar one shot off the post, shots that on other days would drop short or just wide soared over for fun. Will b nigh on impossible to replicate a day like that. And will b nigh on impossible for Kerry to play as below par as today. This all Ireland is WIDE open.
I don’t think the Donegal fans have been silenced at all, we were beating by an outstanding mayo side yesterday and the majority of Donegal fans wish Mayo the best and hope they go on to lift Sam this year!
Ha ha so happy Donegal were beaten now all the fans who taught McGuinness was the best thing that ever happened to the GAA can go back to the hills and hide for another 20 years bye bye
*thought
I doubt a Donegal man poked his wife, unless he’s married to a sheep that is.
Wow Stephen. That was possibly the most dim witted attempt at humour I’ve seen on these pages for a long time. Well done.
a magnificent performance from mayo today,the result was not unexpected but the final score was shocking. however i dont think jimmy will be hiding in the hills for another 20 years he has a good young squad albeit a little lacking on the bench.maybe better to take a few weeks off from celtic and spend a few sundays at club matches to see whats available. i couldnt see past dublin since the beginning of the championship however if mayo can keep the pace going for 2 more matches then this could finally be their year
Ah go suck a lemon ya sour moaner!
Great win for Mayo yesterday….Speaking from a cork supporter I sincerely hope they bring Sam home this year…… They have played a blinder so far this yr….
have to agree wit earlier poster -more of a step than a stamp to our mayo lads-they made of strong stuff! hope they bring Sam home for their heart in today’s game.
to be fair donegal threw so many fake falls today even my 3 year old was roaring at them to go home n play with their dolls. .
Fair play to Mayo. I was delighted for Donegal last year, but not this year. I think the Donegal management team were well off the mark with the comments in the papers leading up to the match, trying to influence the officials, fabricating incidents to take the spotlight off the team not performing.
Yes he was gracious in defeat, but that does not erase anything. The defeat yesterday was so complete that he had no other option but to be gracious, seriously what options had he ? They were beaten off the field, the team can’t chase a lead, he never brought any new guys through from the league to boost the squad. Many of these issues fall under the control of the management team.
It was great for Donegal last year they have some fine players hopefully they will be back and will forget all the media management efforts of 2013 and get back to 2011, 2012.
I agree that the stamp was just from a frustrated player and not a planned act.
Follow Follow we are the Billy Boys
Another brilliant comment from the Dublin fool !
Great game of football and fair play to Mayo, their style, attitude and sportsmanship are a credit to the game. Hard luck Donegal and I know its an understatement, but the best team won yesterday.
Looks like a Dublin Mayo final!
Is it true James Horan had a phone call from Ally McCoist last night :) Brilliant Mayo but the job is only quarter done.
A burglary was committed in Parnell square in Dublin. Gardai are questioning the Donegal keeper. They want to know the whereabouts of his teammates between 4.15 and 5.50