Andy West
Spanish football writer at the Nou Camp

Image source, AP

"This is a 0-0 battering. Barca completely dominant and look permanently on the verge of scoring."

Barcelona are getting closer and closer.

Moments after Lionel Messi sends a free-kick over the bar, Ivan Rakitic forces a smart diving save from Keylor Navas.

The crowd is loving this. It's all Barca.

Another yellow. Dani Carvajal clatters into Luis Suarez and then Andres Iniesta. Two clear fould in the space of a couple of seconds. This game is bubbling.

Andy West
Spanish football writer at the Nou Camp

"Real Madrid just can't keep the ball, but it doesn't look like they're really trying to. More of a containing job from the visitors so far as applause rings around the stadium again during the 14th minute in salute of Cruyff."

Image source, AFP

The games enters the 14th minute and the Nou Camp climbs to its feet. Applause rings out all over the stadium in honour of Johan Cruyff, who wore the famous number 14 shirt.

A special tribute for a much loved man in these parts.

Image source, Reuters

That was a remarkable miss by Suarez, who looked nailed on to score his 27th La Liga goal of the campaign.

Ramos was upset after being left on the floor by Suarez in the build-up and the Real defender went chasing the referee. It earned him the game's first booking.

Andy West
Spanish football writer at the Nou Camp

"How did arguably the most deadly striker in the world miss an open goal? Reaction of astonishment rather than frustration from fans here."

First big chance and it falls to Barcelona who should be ahead.

Luis Suarez leaves Sergio Ramos on the floor and Neymar is sprinting down the wing before the Brazilian squares to the former Liverpool striker in the six yard area.

Surely a goal? No! Suarez can't connect and Real escape.

Andy West
Spanish football writer at the Nou Camp

Image source, Getty Images

"Fascinating four-man battle down Barca's right, Real's left. Dare Marcelo get forward and leave space for Messi to exploit? And dare Alves do the same for Ronaldo? Both Brazilians fairly restrained so far."

The foul count is already nudging double figures. Jeers ring out as Cristiano Ronaldo goes down and a tap on his ankle by Dani Alves. The crowd don't like it. Ronaldo climbs to his feet with a smile on his face.

Image source, Getty Images

All Barcelona in the opening exchanges. Real are inviting pressure. They're happy to sit back and catch their opponents on the counter.

Image source, Getty Images

Who would be in your dream strikeforce - and why?

Andrew Bell: David Hirst on his own, Dennis Bergkamp pulling the strings with Brian Laudrup on the left and Messi on the right

John McEnerney: Marco Van B, Der Bomber & Henrik "The King of Kings" Larsson, all had style, grace, power & made it look so easy. Selfless too!

Omari Sinclair: Messi, Pele, Maradona.

Andy West
Spanish football writer at the Nou Camp

"Real Madrid didn’t even touch the ball in the 90 seconds which were played before the stoppage for Pepe and Busquets to receive treatment. A sign of things to come…?"

Ninety seconds on the clock and the first crunching challenge between Sergio Busquets and Pepe. Expect more, many more, meaty challenges over the next 90 minutes.

Andy West
Spanish football writer at the Nou Camp

"No surprises in either team line-up. The biggest question was whether Dani Carvajal or Danilo would play at right-back for Real Madrid, and Zidane has gone for Carvajal to mark Neymar. 

"But it will be fascinating to see the tactics adopted by the teams - especially Real: will they go on the attack or sit back and play on the break? We'll know soon."

Image source, Reuters

El Clasico is under way after a minute's silence for the great Johan Cruyff.

Can Barca deliver a victory in honour of their former player and manager?

We're moments from kick-off. Just time for a reminder of the teams...

Barcelona XI: Bravo, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

Real Madrid XI: Navas, Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Andy West
Spanish football writer at the Nou Camp

Image source, AP

"As much as beating their eternal enemy, for the hosts today is about honouring Johan Cruyff. It’s difficult to overestimate how much the Dutchman meant to Barca. As well as being a brilliant player and manager, he also laid the foundations for the team's current success by instilling the playing philosophy throughout the club which has stayed intact to this day."

Image source, Reuters

Here come the players. No handshakes exchanged in the tunnel. Both teams emerge to a wonderful mosaic tribute for Johan Cruyff. 'Thank you Johan' it reads. It's a fitting tribute to a legend.

Andy West
Spanish football writer at the Nou Camp

"Players are back into the dressing rooms and there's time for the pitch to get a quick final watering. Barca's players love a slick, fast, reliable pitch - not so easy to play that one-touch passing stuff if the ball's bouncing up into your shin."