Barcelona — En polos opuestos de estado de ánimo, lugar en la clasificación y estilos futbolísticos, Barcelona y Real Madrid se miden el domingo en el clásico de la liga española de fútbol, una vez más con el título en juego pese a que la campaña apenas comienza.

Transcurridas seis fechas del campeonato, el Barsa amenaza con recuperar su reinado de tres títulos seguidos, que se interrumpió la temporada anterior con la coronación del gran rival blanco con un récord de 100 puntos y 121 goles bajo el mando José Mourinho. Ahora, el relevo de Pep Guardiola en el banquillo catalán, Tito Vilanova, no podría haber empezado mejor el camino por la reconquista, pues presenta un balance perfecto de seis victorias y 18 puntos en la cima de la tabla clasificatoria, a un triunfo del récord histórico del club.

El Madrid, derrotado en Getafe y Sevilla, alcanza el choque en Barcelona en la sexta posición, a ocho puntos de distancia y, pese a tres victorias seguidas, presenta preocupantes síntomas de disensión interna.

Cristiano Ronaldo parece haber recuperado su mejor forma con dos tripletas al hilo, la ultima en la goleada del miércoles por 4-1 al Ajax por la Liga de Campeones, donde figura como máximo cañonero. El portugués, goleador en los últimos cinco clásicos, suma 12 dianas en 10 partidos. Pero la mejora de resultados no parece acompaña de un buen clima en el vestuario, donde el sector español apoya al central Sergio Ramos en su particular pulso con Mourinho, quien lo castigó con la suplencia tras perder en Sevilla.

La polémica se avivó tras la sustitución del mediocampista Mesut Oezil en la fecha más reciente ante el Deportivo, en que Ramos fue desplazado al lateral derecho. El once de Mourinho ante el Barsa es, pues, toda una incógnita, sobre todo tras la reciente reaparición del brasileño Kaká, que intensifica la competencia para Oezil y Luka Modric en la mediapunta.

Al Barsa le validan sus resultados más que su juego, irregular hasta la fecha, pues se ha visto seriamente comprometido por Osasuna, Valencia Granada y finalmente el Sevilla, donde debió remontar un 2-1 en contra en los últimos dos minutos.

Pero a diferencia del Madrid, imágenes como la discusión entre el argentino Lionel Messi y David Villa en el partido ante el Granada se han enterrado pronto. Posteriormente, el plantel escenificó su feliz estado anímico con una comida de hermandad y los problemas futbolísticos no han conseguido enturbiar el ambiente, al menos de puertas afuera.

Casos inquietantes como la sequía anotadora de Cesc Fábregas por siete meses han sido revertidos con tres tantos del canterano en los últimos dos partidos, el último, un triunfo por 2-0 en cancha del Benfica por la Liga de Campeones. Incluso el chileno Alexis Sánchez, muy criticado en la presente temporada, pareció recuperar su olfato goleador en Lisboa al anotar el tanto inicial, y revalidó candidatura para formar de inicio en el clásico junto a Messi.

El argentino, con 10 dianas en 10 partidos oficiales en lo que va de curso, sigue siendo la mejor baza ofensiva de Vilanova, quien recuperó al lesionado Andrés Iniesta pero perdió nuevamente al capitán Carles Puyol tras luxarse el hombro ante el Benfica.

La defensa es el principal quebradero de cabeza del técnico barcelonista, que esperara a última hora al central Gerard Piqué pero probablemente deberá formar con Alex Song y el argentino Javier Mascherano en la retaguardia.

El Barsa no pierde de local desde el pasado 21 de abril, precisamente ante el Madrid, una derrota que sentenció la liga en favor de los "merengues". Un nuevo triunfo visitante daría alas a Mourinho, que vive su peor inicio de campaña como entrenador. Pero el equipo más beneficiado de un tropiezo barcelonista sería el vecino Atlético de Madrid, actual segundo clasificado con 16 puntos.

El cuadro del argentino Diego Simeone podría acabar la fecha en la cima si el Barsa pierde y los colchoneros ganan al Málaga.

El Atlético va lanzado en la liga con cinco victorias seguidas, pero le sigue de cerca el conjunto entrenado por el chileno Manuel Pellegrini, tercero con 14 puntos y también invicto tanto en liga como en la competición europea, donde viene de imponerse por 3-0 al Anderlecht.

Por inminentes compromisos de selecciones, la fecha inicia al viernes con la visita del Sevilla, pendiente de la sanción de dos partidos al chileno Gary Medel, al Celta de Vigo.

El sábado se disputarán con los cotejos Rayo Vallecano-Deportivo La Coruña, Zaragoza-Getafe y Betis-Real Sociedad, mientras que el Espanyol del argentino Mauricio Pochettino, colista con un punto y con la imperiosa necesidad de estrenar su casillero de victorias, visita al Valladolid.

La programación dominical se completa con el cruce ciudadano entre Levante y Valencia, seguido de los partidos Mallorca-Granada y Athletic de Bilbao-Osasuna.

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  • Alexis Sanchez

    Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez from Chile, left celebrates with various team mates after scoring against Atletico de Madrid's during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain Sunday May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul White)

  • Lionel Messi

    FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Atletico de Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Lionel Messi, Emiliano Insua

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, right, is challenged by Atletico de Madrid's Emiliano Insua during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain Sunday May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul White)

  • Andres Iniesta, Tiago Mendes

    FC Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, right, in action with Atletico de Madrid's Tiago Mendes from Portugal, left, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Jordi Alba

    FC Barcelona's Jordi Alba, right, celebrates Atletico de Madrid's Gabi Fernandez on goal with team mates during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Andres Iniesta, Tiago Mendes, Adrian Lopez

    FC Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, centre, in action with Atletico de Madrid's Tiago Mendes from Portugal, left, and Adrian Lopez, right,during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Diego Simeone

    Atletico de Madrid's coach Diego Simeone of Argentina reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain Sunday May 12, 2013. Barcelona won the match 2-1. (AP Photo/Paul White)

  • David Villa, Cesc Fabregas, Cristian Tello

    FC Barcelona's David Villa, left, Cesc Fabregas, center, and Cristian Tello celebrate Atletico de Madrid's Gabi Fernandez own goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Lionel Messi, Tiago Mendes

    FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, center, in action with Atletico de Madrid's Tiago Mendes from Portugal, left, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Jugadores del FC Barcelona reciben honores del Atlético de Madrid antes del juego en el estadio Vicente Calderón en Madrid el domingo 12 de mayo de 2013. Tras proclamarse campeón el sábado sin jugar, el Barcelona celebró con una remontada por 2-1 la conquista de su 22do título de la liga española. (AP Photo/Chema Rey, Pool)

  • Angel Di Maria, Karim Benzema

    Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria from Argentina, right, celebrates his goal with Karim Benzema from France, left, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Atletico de Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Angel di Maria of Real Madrid celebrates with Alvaro Morata after scoring Real's 2nd goal during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Kaka (L) and Alvaro Morata (#29) of Real Madrid celebrate after Real scored their 2nd goal during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Pepe (R) of Real Madrid vies for the ball against Radamel Falcao of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Kaka (R) of Real Madrid vies for the ball against Diego Godin of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Kaka (R) vies with andAtletico Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Raul Garcia (L) during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Angel di Maria of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's 2nd goal during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's midfielder Mario Suarez (R) vies with Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria (L) celebrates with Real Madrid's forward Alvaro Morata after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's players celebrate their second score during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's players celebrate their second score during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao controls the ball during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's midfielder Mario Suarez (L) vies with Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Kaka during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's goalkeeper Diego Lopez (L) catches the ball during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Pepe (R) of Real Madrid vies for the ball against Radamel Falcao (L) of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe (R) vies with Atletico Madrid's midfielder Koke (L) and Atletico Madrid's midfielder Mario Suarez during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian defender Filipe Luis (L) vies with Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (R) during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao (4th L) scores during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's midfielder Raul Garcia (L) vies with Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho reacts during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe celebrates his team's first score during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa (C) celebrates his team's first goal during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas warms up before the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas looks on before the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa celebrates his team's first goal during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa (L) vies with Real Madrid's forward Alvaro Morata during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa (L) vies with Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel Di Maria (L) vies with Atletico Madrid's midfielder Gabi (R) during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao Garcia (L) celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria (L) vies with Atletico Madrid's Brazilian defender Filipe Luis (C) and Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan defender Diego Godin (R) during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao (L) celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao (3rd L) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa (L) vies with Real Madrid's defender Nacho Fernandez during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe reacts during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Pepe of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his team's opening goal during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)