Why have Real Madrid closed the roof at the Bernabéu stadium against Barcelona in El Clásico?

LaLiga’s leaders welcome their eternal rivals to the capital and have put their retractable roof to good use even though it’s a very pleasant evening in Madrid.

As the big two in Spain’s LaLiga went head to head, a big decision to close the roof of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu had already been taken. Real Madrid had already shown off their new retractable roof option in another huge game recently – when they played out a stunning 3-3 draw in the Champions League quarter final first leg against Manchester City – and Xavi Hernández’s team were going to get the same treatment. It will be the first ever Clásico under a closed roof.

But some observers were puzzled. After a particularly wet and miserable Easter weekend, temperatures had risen in the Spanish capital, and the beautiful, glorious sunny days with clear blue skies had continued right up until El Clásico. So why have Madrid decided to seal their stadium?

Madrid have tried out their retractable roof on a number of occasions this season - in the league games against Atlético, Villarreal and Getafe, as well as the UCL clash. Firstly, to ensure that the mechanical system is in good working order and secondly, as a means of trapping the noise within all four walls and creating a more vibrant, louder atmosphere.

While there is no denying that it is an imposing stadium to play at, in terms of actual match atmosphere, the Bernabéu has always struggled to get the whole crowd rocking. Yes, it gets loud - especially after the club turned the Fondo Sur into a Grada de Animación in 2013, but nowhere near as boisterous as San Mamés, the Metropolitano or even the old Calderón. It’s improved, but sometimes, the atmosphere can be a little flat.

By closing the roof, the noise generated