The reign in Spain!

December 22: Do you see life in seasons? The year be damned. The season of your first job, first car, first pink slip? The barren season a.k.a the season of unscheduled toilet breaks and desperate prayer?
Paul Ashworth did. The English literature teacher character liberally-based on Nick Hornby in the 1997 film version of his book, Fever Pitch, actually admonished his colleague/girlfriend for what he thought was an untimed pregnancy, "because this was not the right season," since his beloved Arsenal were struggling and he'd be too preoccupied with that.
Like Ashworth nee Hornby, there'll be some of us here, trying desperately to find the ground beneath our feet - a suitable location to watch Barcelona host Real Madrid late on Sunday. 'Tis the season of displacement? Big time. So much thought/heartburn for a mere 90 minutes and a few more of Spanish football? Yes, it happens. Even to the best of us.
So much for the personal demons, even at a purely sporting level this Barcelona-Real Madrid meeting doesn't come any bigger. Easily the biggest football seasonal clash in football - Boca Juniors-River Plate, Celtic-Rangers, Liverpool-Manchester United, even turned-over Chelsea-Arsenal can wait - Barcelona vs Real comes with its huge historical baggage, that you might or might not want to attach any importance to. Truth is that the sheer hand-me-down of the tie is good enough to sit up, take notice, mope about even if you've not taken sides.
Why this meeting is special is simple. After four seasons in the wilderness, where Real's galacticos began to flounder and allowed Barca's hungrier new-look team to gain ground after eight fruitless seasons, this looks to be the most equal battle in years. If nothing else, what better call for battle than that - a veritable slugfest between the best and bitterest in the world.
Still, whatever the result, Real will - at the most a point ahead - end a famous year for them as winter champions. In Spanish football folklore, those who end the year on top, end the season on top.
But, like we said, the year be damned. With the customary four-yearly dressing room spats and reserve bench politicking, Barca have been designated the prima donnas of world football and with roles reversed, Real are the hungrier, clinical lot. Super Sunday, spilling over into Monday, then should be fun. Affix your eyes to it. The very idea is infectious. Try it.