The Kid and The Cabbie are at the hairdresser discussing the upcoming El Clásico, a fixture that increasingly looks capable of deciding the Spanish title.
The Kid will not be fit enough to face Barcelona, but that does not prevent the conversation from covering Colombian hat-tricks, Luis Suárez, fantasy football and whether one of Madrid’s most expensive players can handle the pressure of a packed Camp Nou.
El Clásico Approaches
Madrid’s next meeting with Barcelona is more than another rivalry match.
With both clubs competing for the league title, the result could have a major influence on the rest of the season.
The Kid is disappointed that his rehabilitation will not be complete in time for him to play. Watching such an important fixture from the sidelines is difficult, particularly when he believes he could help the team.
The Cabbie tries to keep the conversation positive.
A Colombian Hat-Trick Against Barcelona
The Cabbie reminds The Kid that another Colombian once produced an unforgettable performance against Barcelona.
In September 1997, Faustino Asprilla scored all three goals as Newcastle United defeated Barcelona 3–2 in the Champions League.
It remains one of the most celebrated individual performances in Newcastle’s European history and one of Asprilla’s defining nights.
The Kid immediately considers the fantasy football implications.
A hat-trick would have delivered a substantial points return.
Football History Becomes Fantasy Football
The Kid has a habit of viewing famous football moments through the scoring system of a fantasy game.
Supporters remember Asprilla’s movement, finishing and the atmosphere at St James’ Park.
The Kid wants to know how many points the performance would have earned.
It is another example of Storybook blending football history with the increasingly statistical way supporters follow modern players.
Luis Suárez Adds Another Edge
The conversation then turns towards Barcelona’s attack and Luis Suárez.
Suárez had joined Barcelona after starring in England and brought goals, aggression and unpredictability to an already formidable forward line.
His presence made El Clásico even more dangerous for Madrid.
Storybook also plays on the striker’s controversial reputation, using the language of appetite and taste to create a deliberately understated callback.
The Pressure on Gareth Bale
The Kid is especially concerned about his Welsh teammate, Gareth Bale.
Bale had arrived in Madrid for a record transfer fee and was therefore expected to perform in the club’s biggest matches.
Every misplaced pass, missed chance or quiet performance attracted scrutiny from supporters and the Spanish media.
The Camp Nou presented an even greater test.
If criticism from a relatively small group of supporters could affect a player, The Cabbie wonders how he might cope in front of close to 100,000 people.
The Noise of the Camp Nou
Barcelona’s stadium has long been one of football’s most imposing arenas.
The size of the crowd, the intensity of El Clásico and the importance of the result create an atmosphere unlike an ordinary league match.
For experienced players, that pressure can be motivating.
For somebody already struggling with criticism, it can make every touch feel more important.
The title’s reference to the “noisy” Blaugrana arena captures both the physical atmosphere and the wider media attention surrounding the fixture.
The Football Inspiration Behind the Comic
This episode was written ahead of the March 2015 El Clásico at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona won the match 2–1, with goals from Jérémy Mathieu and Luis Suárez, while Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Madrid. The result moved Barcelona four points clear of their rivals in the league table.
The strip also references Faustino Asprilla’s famous Champions League hat-trick for Newcastle United against Barcelona in 1997.
By combining those events with concerns about Gareth Bale’s form and confidence, Storybook turns a major title fixture into a conversation about history, pressure and fantasy football.
Characters Featured
The Kid
The Kid is disappointed that he will miss El Clásico but remains fully engaged with the match, particularly through its possible fantasy football consequences.
The Cabbie
The Cabbie supplies the history lesson, reminds The Kid about Asprilla’s hat-trick and questions whether every Madrid player is ready for the atmosphere in Barcelona.
Faustino Asprilla
The Colombian striker provides the historical reference at the centre of the strip. His hat-trick against Barcelona remains one of Newcastle United’s greatest European nights.
Luis Suárez
The Barcelona forward adds goals, intensity and a slightly dangerous edge to the upcoming Clásico.
Gareth Bale
The Welsh forward is under enormous pressure to justify his transfer fee and deliver in one of the biggest fixtures in world football.
Behind the Gag
The Kid begins by worrying about missing El Clásico.
The Cabbie responds with a Colombian football history lesson.
The conversation then moves through fantasy points, Suárez’s appetite and Bale’s ability to handle a packed stadium.
All of this happens while The Kid is sitting in a barber’s chair.
For somebody with his hairstyle, that may be the most dangerous setting of all.
Looking Back
Originally published in 2015, The ‘Noisy’ Blaugrana Arena captured the pressure surrounding a title-defining El Clásico and the intense scrutiny facing Gareth Bale during his second season in Madrid.
It also connected a contemporary Spanish rivalry with one of the most memorable Colombian performances in Champions League history.
The next Storybook episode continues the discussion around Bale by asking a more direct question: is he the fastest footballer on Earth?
