Real Madrid Vs Barcelona 2011-2012 Clasico Preview History El Clásico (English: The Classic, Catalan: El Clàssic[1]), also known as El derbi Español, is the name given in football to a match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is contested twice a year in the Spanish La Liga competition, and more often if the clubs meet in other competitions. Other than the UEFA Champions League Final, it is the most followed club football match in the world, watched by hundreds of millions of people.[2] The rivalry comes about as Madrid and Barcelona are the two largest cities in Spain, and the two clubs are the richest, most successful and influential football clubs in the world. FC Barcelona have 72 trophies, Real Madrid 74 - Athletic Bilbao comes third with 32 trophies. These are the only three clubs in La Liga to have never lost top-flight status. They are sometimes identified with opposing political positions, with Real Madrid viewed as representing Spanish nationalism, and Barcelona viewed as representing Catalan nationalism[3]. The Rivalry is argued by many to be the biggest in world football.