PREVIEW | Real Madrid v FC Barcelona
The big day is here! El Clásico is as huge as club football gets, and Culers around the world will be glued to their screens for the latest episode of a saga that has produced so many thrills over the years, although the events of last season may have been the best ever.
Winning streak
The Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabéu, which will be the venue again for this Sunday's clash, was a tight affair at first, but the Barça machine was relentless in the second half, with two goals from Robert Lewandowski and one each from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha utterly destroying Real Madrid to the tune of a 4-0 defeat on their home ground.
And that was only the start of it. In the Spanish Super Cup, Madrid took an early lead through Kylian Mbappé, but then Barça clicked into action, scoring a simply astonishing five goals before half-time! Not even a red card for Wojciech Szczęsny could save the all-whites from going down to a crushing 5-2 defeat.
Something similar happened in the Liga clash at the Estadi Olímpic. Mbappé again gave Madrid an early lead, this time with two goals, before Barça went on another first-half rampage, already leading 4-2 by half-time and eventually winning 4-3.
It was going to be hard for the Copa del Rey final between the same teams to top that for drama. But it did! This time it was Madrid who came back from behind, and they were heading for a 2-1 win before a late goal from Ferran Torres sent the game into extra time, when Jules Kounde's winner ensured the trophy for Barça.
It was the first time ever that Barça had beaten Real Madrid four times in the same season (five if we count the preseason friendly in New Jersey.
Hansi out
Hansi Flick certainly has El Clásico sussed. No coach before him had ever won their first four games against Real Madrid. But this time, Barça are going to have to find a way without him. After the German was red-carded against in the 2-1 defeat of Girona last week, he will have to serve a suspension, and it's his deputy Marcus Sorg who will instead be officially in charge of things this Sunday at 4.15pm CET.
Television viewers around the world beware. The clocks went back in Europe on Saturday night, so make sure you double check the time where you are.
Ed Sheeran in
Clásicos of recent years have become synonymous with Barça's now-famous 'shirt swap', in association with main partner Spotify. Each game is tied to a famous musical artist, and this time it's the turn of British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, promoting his brand new album Play. As usual, not only will the team be sporting the record's logo on their shirt, but a whole range of associated fashion items are on sale via the club store.
Top of the table clash
Not only does El Clásico bring together two of the biggest football teams on the planet, and who share a rivalry that is second-to-none, but the outcome of this game tends to have a huge bearing on the eventual destiny of the Liga trophy.
That's certainly the case this year, for after just nine games, a gap of five points has already opened between the top two and the rest of the field.
Real Madrid have won every game this season apart from a crushing 5-2 loss in the local derby with Atlético. Barça have also been on emphatic form but had a similar off-day when they met Sevilla and lost 4-1. They also dropped two points against Rayo Vallecano, so it's Real Madrid who currently lead by two points.
A Madrid win on Sunday would widen the gap to five. A Barça win would mean they leap ahead of the all-whites to go top. That's how much this game matters.
What they are saying
The players themselves need no motivation for a game like this, as they have been reiterating in various interviews in the build-up. “It’s a game everyone wants to play” said Pedri. "In the Clásicos where we’ve enjoyed ourselves, things have gone well. And that’s what we have to do” opined Ronald Araujo, while Pau Cubarsi stressed the need for a "winning mindset."
Those three are all seasoned experts in games with Real Madrid, but for Marcus Rashford “it's my first Clásico and I'm looking forward to it because it's maybe the biggest game there is.”
Team news
Barça are once again without either Joan Garcia or Marc-André ter Stegen in goal, while Gavi and Dani Olmo are missing in midfield, and there will be no Raphinha or Robert Lewandowski in attack.
Those are all key absences, but if results like the 6-1 battering of Olympiacos midweek are anything to go by, Barça have more than enough resources to cover for them. And there may be some good news regarding Jules Kounde. The Frenchman was able to train normally on Saturday and Marcus Sorg sounded optimistic about his chances os lining up in defence.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has less to worry about going into what will be his first Clásico as a manager. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Ceballos, Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen all seem to match fit again. However, German international Rüdiger is out for sure, and a last-minute decision will be required concerning Alaba.