Years after the end of the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo era, the fierce and historic rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid is moving into a new generation.
By Graham Ruthven
Saturday’s El Clásico will be Kylian Mbappé’s first taste of Spanish football’s biggest fixture while Barcelona have a new crop of La Masia prodigies now making their mark at the top level, Lamine Yamal being chief among them.
Last season, Real Madrid ran away with the Spanish title. This season, though, it’s Barca setting the early pace with Hansi Flick’s team playing a brand of high-risk, high-intensity football that has caught the imagination.
Barcelona come into the first Clasico of the season on the back of a statement victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The 4-1 dismantling of the German giants highlighted just how far Flick’s team have come this season.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, are still searching for their best form. Carlo Ancelotti has experienced trouble integrating Kylian Mbappé into his forward line with the absence of Toni Kroos being acutely felt in central midfield.
Ancelotti surely watched the way Barca picked off Bayern Munich in transition with interest. It’s possible the Real Madrid boss could set up his team to sit deeper and deny their rivals any opportunity to attack open space.
Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo are expected to miss Saturday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu through injury while Dani Carvajal is sidelined, meaning Lucas Vázquez will likely start at right back for the hosts.
Injuries have similarly hit Barcelona hard with Marc-André Ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araújo and Marc Bernal all out for the long-term. Gavi and Frenkie de Jong are also working back to full fitness at the moment.
However, there will still be plenty talent on the pitch to make Saturday’s Clásico a spectacle. Barca have the highest Expected Goals (xG) of any team in LaLiga this season with Real Madrid ranked second behind them. There should be goals at the Santiago Bernabéu.
With just three points between the two rivals in the table, the outcome of Saturday’s match could have a big bearing on this season’s Spanish title race.
A Barca win could signify a shift in the balance of power at the top of LaLiga. A Real Madrid victory, however, would draw the defending champions level with the Catalans. Clásicos always matter, but this one will have extra meaning.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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