Real Madrid and Barcelona have already played each other twice in five days in La Liga and the Copa del Rey, and now face off again over two legs for a place in the Champions League final.
Barca’s 1-1 draw at Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium on April 16 has set them on course to retain their league crown, but Real won the Cup final 1-0 after extra-time last week.
The Champions League semi-final first leg is at the Bernabeu today and the return at the Camp Nou on Tuesday.
Following is a translation of a selection of words and phrases which help explain the intense rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
CULES AND MERENGUES
Barcelona fans are known as Cules which means “arses” in Catalan.
At one of the club’s first stadiums fans used to sit on the outer wall watching matches and all that passers-by could see when they looked up from the street was a row of backsides, hence the nickname.
Real Madrid are known as the Merengues (meringues) because their all white kit resembles the dessert.
EL CANGUELO DE BARCELONA
In recent times, the Madrid-based sports press have accused Barcelona of falling victim to Canguelo, which literally means being scared stiff that Real would come up behind them to steal the league title.
In 2007, Madrid overhauled Barca to snatch the title on the final day of the season, prompting accusations Barca had bottled it.
Although Madrid won the title again in 2008, they have mostly trailed Pep Guardiola’s team since then, but always display a “never-say-die” approach which regularly seems to unsettle their rivals.
After a draw with 10 men and a Cup final win the word has reared its head again ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg.
The Madrid-based sports daily Marca’s frontpage headline on Monday was: “Eurocanguelo.”
LA MANITA
Barca’s 5-0 hammering of Real at the Camp Nou in November had home players and fans waving their hands in the air with their fingers spread in celebration of the five goals — la manita, or “little hand.”
In the buildup to the recent league clash, an advert to promote a private health insurance company on Barcelona city buses caused a stir in Madrid as it showed five Barca players holding out their hands in a similar manner.
The club moved quickly to distance themselves from the advert and accusations that they were being disrespectful to their rivals.
VILLARATO
Over the years, conspiracy theories have abounded about biased refereeing for either team.
Allegations of favoritism shown toward Real by referees during the regime of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco have given way recently to Barca being accused of having a helping hand.
The theory that Barca backed the re-election of Angel Maria Villar to the presidency of the Spanish soccer federation, while Real supported a rival candidate, has given rise to the term Villarato which is used every time Madrid fans think Barca have had some kind of favorable treatment.
Real boss Jose Mourinho has stoked the fires of the debate this season, complaining of favoritism towards Barca with red cards given against his own side, the timing of matches and the punishments handed out to himself and his team.
MES QUE UN CLUB
Barcelona’s slogan “more than a club” helps explain why the clasico is more than just a soccer match.
Barca is seen as a symbol of Catalan nationalism and the region’s continual struggle for recognition against the perceived centralizing force of the Spanish government in Madrid, embodied by Real.
Barca fans wave Catalan flags and hold up banners at the Camp Nou proclaiming that “Catalonia is not Spain.” Many whistled through the national anthem at the Mestalla before the King’s Cup final.
Madrid fans respond by waving Spain flags and singing Que Viva Espana (Long Live Spain).
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