It is rare that either Barcelona and Real Madrid enter an El Clasico at the back of a loss. It is even rarer that both teams are preparing for it at the back of defeat.

Over the midweek, Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, with a goal from Mario Gomez breaking the deadlock after Frank Ribery and Mesut Ozil had scored. Barcelona too returned to Spain empty handed after being frustrated by Chelsea who scored via Didier Drogba and virtually defended for the rest of the game.

Surely wins for either team would have made it easier for them to prepare for what could be the most important match of the season for both. And with chances of a super El Clasico deciding who will rein supreme in Europe still high, this match is not about a regular win/loss situation.

This match is about momentum, mind-set, confidence and all things intangible that affect a game of football.

This one match at the Nou Camp will provide a confidence boost so high that the winners could sweep all that lies ahead of them. If Barcelona win, they cut the gap in La Liga to just one point, waiting for Real Madrid to slip once and snatch the league crown.