"Madrid!" "Madrid!" "Madrid!"
The passionate fans sang loudly.
The Santiago Bernabeu was a cauldron of fire and fury.
The air was electric, charged with the anticipation of 80,000 voices waiting to explode. Every seat was filled, every fan standing, scarves raised in a sea of white and blue and red defiance.
The stadium trembled, not just from the chants but from the sheer weight of history pressing down on the moment.
Real Madrid and Barcelona, neck and neck at the top of La Liga took their first steps onto the pristine pitch, the roar cascading down like a tidal wave.
Flashbulbs erupted from the stands, capturing the gladiators of Spanish football in a blaze of light.
The chants were deafening, Madridistas bellowing "Hala Madrid!" as Cules responded with defiant jeers.
Every touch of the ball in the warm-up was met with a reaction, whistles for the enemy, cheers for the heroes.
