El Clasico: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

The focus of the match has to be Real's new coach: Juande Ramos. The former Tottenham manager, who was sacked recently, returned to Spain with his reputation still intact, as Real look to him to save their title challenge this season.

Real is in unfamiliar territory: they are struggling in the 5th position in the La Liga, while Barca is starting to find their feet, with Messi, Henry and Eto in scoring form. But all these obvious advantages may just be the banana skin that plotted Real's victory in this game.

El Clasico, as in many other derby matches and bitter rival match-up, is an unpredictable match where form cannot be rely upon. In fact, for Real, this is a golden opportunity to turn around their disappointing season. With all their talents around, and Raul record-breaking form, Real will not be the underdogs for this tie. And with Juande Ramos at helm, the Real players will be trying even harder to impress their new boss.

As Juande Ramos said, Real have nothing to fear. If Real, with the hosts of talent they have, need to fear Barca, then the rest of the league might as well give the title to Barca. Bernd Schuster's negative statement is of no logic, and really irked the President and fans. Bernd practically talks himself out of the job, as not long ago, Real president had given him a vote of confidence.

This game may well be determined by the brilliance of the top stars of either side, be it Messi, Henry and Eto for Barca, or Raul, Gago and Sneijder.

The Win-Everything Brazillians Leave Clubs

So here comes the "end of the season" period, where league football take a 2-3 months break. Though there is still the Champions League and some other Cups to play for, many teams are already announcing the new signings and departure from their respective team.

Among the most sensational way to announce departure is Barcelona's Ronaldinho. Not that he himself announced he wants to leave, but instead it's Barca's president who said "he needs to leave"! Joan Laporta reckoned that Ronaldinho must leave to be the player he once was again.

"He (Ronaldinho) needs a new challenge. When a cycle finishes it is normal that the most emblematic pieces also come to an end. I would like Ronaldinho to be given a great send-off so that he is remembered for all he has given us and that if he didn't do any more it was because the circumstances wouldn't allow it".

Barcelona won the La Liga and Champions League with Ronaldinho in top form, while Ronaldinho himself also won the World Player of the Year Award! Ronaldinho is linked to a move to AC Milan.

In Milan, 2 more Brazilians will leave AC Milan. World Cup winner Cafu, at the age of 37, will return to Brazil. In his 5 seasons with Milan, he win every trophy possible at club level. Prior to joining Milan, he play for AS Roma and won the Scudetto with them.

Mean while, Serginho who joined the club back in 1999, has also decided to return home. Though not a regular at Milan, he is one influential player. His contribution to Milan's 2003 Champions League win is enormous, combining superbly with Superpippo to drive Milan to the final, and eventual win.

So let's wish both Cafu and Serginho all the best in life after football, and let's hope we can still see the best of Ronaldinho, hopefully in a Rossoneri shirt!