El Clásico

The famous 'El Clasico' showdown between Spanish football's bitter rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid ended 0-0 late on Dec. 18.

The match was scheduled for Oct. 26 but had to be postponed after a wave of Catalan independence demonstrations in Barcelona.

Real Madrid looked poised to sweep Barcelona away in La Liga after beating it so comprehensively in the Spanish Super Cup in August yet by the end of Dec. 23’s “El Clasico” it could be a remarkable 14 points behind its bitter rival.

Barcelona took a huge step towards a fifth La Liga title in seven years with a 2-1 win over Real Madrid thanks to Luis Suarez's stunning strike on March 23.
      
Here, AFP sports looks at five lessons to be learned heading into the final 10 games of the La Liga season.

Lionel Messi enjoyed another landmark European night as he equaled the Champions League scoring record against Ajax but doubts remain over Luis Enrique's Barcelona side after a stuttering start to the season.
   

Cristiano Ronaldo scored to spark Real Madrid's 3-1 comeback win over Barcelona in a thrilling "clasico" match Oct. 25 in the Spanish league that handed the visitors their first loss of the season.

Luis Suarez is free to make his long-awaited debut for Barcelona when the La Liga leaders travel to face Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season on Oct. 23.