Real Madrid and Barcelona will renew their rivalry in coming weeks. One of the major stories heading into the matchup will feature the goaltending of both clubs and the controversies that have come as a result. Here is how the goaltending situation matches up between the two teams.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid's goaltending battle right now favors Diego Lopez for this matchup, but Iker Casillas could steal back the starting position for this match. There is no denying that Lopez makes the big save and is a solid netminder. However, he has only pitched one clean sheet in eight matches this season and is good for at least a goal per game. In a game against a possession hog like Barcelona, a 1-0 lead may be enough for the Catalans to pull off the victory.
Many believe Casillas to be in decline, but the truth is that the Madrid captain simply needs more playing time to get back into shape. He was terrific for Spain on Tuesday and made big saves against Georgia when his defense faltered. He will not only make the big save, but pitch the shutout when necessary.
While Lopez is likely to be the choice here, Coach Carlo Ancelotti may have to take a closer look at his goaltending to decide who faces Barcelona in a crucial game.
Barcelona
Victor Valdes has had a terrific career playing against Madrid and his hot start to the 2013-14 season bodes well for his performance in this game. If Casillas gets the start at the other end, this could also carry connotations for the World Cup squad next summer. Valdes temporarily replaced Casillas as the top goalie for Spain in the qualifier against Belarus. This fact alone indicates that Valdes is in the running to supplant Casillas as the top choice. If the two face off in Barcelona, the victor could be one step closer to stealing the top job.
Edge: Usually Casillas would have the edge, but he may not even start. In fact, he is unlikely to start given Ancelotti's insistent that Lopez start in the Spanish League matches. Valdes has been terrific and is the best goalie in Spain right now.