Real Madrid rivalry with FC Barcelona

The rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona is legendary. From the start the clubs were seen as representatives of the two rival regions of Spain, Castile and Catalonia, as well as the two cities themselves. However the rivalry reached a new level during the Generalísimo Francisco Franco years when Real Madrid was considered to be the "regime team" while FC Barcelona was regarded as the team of the opposition.

Although following the Spanish Civil War Real Madrid received considerable institutional assistance from the Franco regime, as he saw the club as the sporting embodiment of the Spain he wanted to create, during the war itself members of both clubs suffered at the hands of Franco supporters. FC Barcelona president Josep Sunyol was killed while Real Madrid president Rafael Sánchez Guerra, a prominent Republican, was imprisoned and tortured. They also arrested and murdered a Real vice-president and club treasurer and an acting president disappeared-

The rivalry was given a significant boost by the 1943 Copa del Generalísimo semi-final between the two clubs. The first leg ended in a 3-0 loss for Real, but the return leg in Madrid saw them win 11-1. It has been alleged by some that the FC Barcelona players were pressured into losing the game. The dispute over Alfredo Di Stéfano in the 1950s intensified the rivalry further.
There is no doubt that Franco benefited from Madrid's achievements in Europe and used the club for propaganda purposes. On the football field, however, both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have enjoyed success throughout their history, both in Spain and in Europe, regardless of who led the government.
These are interesting facts..........did you know about them?. This rivalry is historical, both teams are by far the best in Spain. The last couple of years it seems that FC Barcelona has done pretty well, but Real Madrid will improve sooner or later. Maybe this coming season 2006-2007 will be for Real Madrid........what do you think?