Copa Match: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Just before two teams that have already scored 203 competitive goals between them this season do battle once again, it might seem strange to talk about defense rather than glory in their extravagant attacking power.


But that's the groove I'm in right now.

The Copa del Rey has paired holder Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona again, this time in the quarterfinals, just as it did for an epic, bruising and ultimately deeply significant final in April. Los Blancos won that night at the Mestalla, and I, for one, was hugely pleased for one of football's all-time greats, Iker Casillas, after he finally lifted the trophy that had eluded him for so long.
Now we can enjoy two more Clasicos over the next eight days with all the operatic drama they unerringly present. The first one is Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the return leg is Jan. 25 at Camp Nou.

Although I have never been afraid to admit that some of the ill will between the sides is important to make the dish nice and spicy, there are limits -- limits that I believe Jose Mourinho, Pepe and Marcelo ignored last season. So it's healthy to report that the buildup to these games has been significantly less provocative, angry and accusatory.

What caught my attention was when Xavi addressed the media Sunday in the aftermath of Barca making hard work of beating a bold and inventive Real Betis side 4-2 in one of the best matches of the season. As the little Catalan maestro turned to face yet another Madrid episode in his extraordinary career, he said: "We will go to the Bernabeu and try to be the main protagonists in the match. We will try to dominate possession -- keeping the ball is the best defense which exists."

Obviously, Xavi means that sincerely. It's the credo he has been taught since before he was a teenager during thousands of training hours in futbol base (youth football) at FC Barcelona -- and which, to be fair, is something that has come naturally to him while playing football as a kid in Placa del Progres, Terrassa.

For Barcelona, there have been many times, particularly under Pep Guardiola, when that ethos has soaringly, shiningly proven its efficacy. In Rome against Manchester United, Barca made good on Sir Alex Ferguson's prophecy that they can "kill you with their passing" while winning the 2009 Champions League. Ditto Wembley 2011. At the Bernabeu last month, Guardiola's team used its default style to first blunt and then destroy Real Madrid after falling behind to the fastest goal in Clasico history.watch here