FC Barcelona faces the classic against Real Madrid this Sunday at the Camp Nou with the aim of extending its lead at the top of LaLiga, in a duel that could set the course of the season. However, the defensive losses and the recent football recovery of the white team add uncertainty to the clash.
The Barça team, leader of the championship, arrives after suffering its first defeat of the season against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. For its part, Real Madrid has had four consecutive victories and showed its best version since the arrival of José Mourinho to the bench last summer, after beating Leipzig 4-1 in the European competition.
Barcelona has a six-point advantage over the Madrid team, third in the standings, so a victory would allow it to take a step forward in the fight for the title.
“I expect a team with a lot of confidence,” acknowledged the Barça coach, Hansi Flick, when referring to his eternal rival.
Despite Madrid’s good moment, Barça maintains arguments to face the match with optimism. Raphinha’s recovery and the excellent performance of young Lamine Yamal reinforce the offensive potential of a team that has scored at least two goals in all its games this season.
Mourinho warns that the classic is a different match
Real Madrid comes into the match with better feelings after stringing together positive results and regaining confidence under the direction of Mourinho. However, the Portuguese coach warned that recent performance does not guarantee anything in a match of these characteristics.
“In the classics I think that what you have done before has no influence,” Mourinho said this Saturday, downplaying the previous dynamics of both teams.
The absence of Vinícius Júnior, suspended and with a discreet performance in recent weeks, will force the Madrid coach to reorganize his attack. One of the alternatives is the young Ivorian Yan Diomande, who has shown progress in both defense and attack since his arrival at the club.
Mourinho could also opt to reinforce the midfield to make it difficult for Barcelona to circulate the ball. The approach will be especially important against an opponent that stands out for its ability to create chances, although the defeat against PSG once again highlighted the defensive problems of Flick’s team.
Defensive losses worry Flick
Barcelona faces the classic with important absences in its last line. Eric García and Andreas Christensen are injured, while Jules Koundé will also not be available, as confirmed by Flick. In midfield, Dani Olmo is still out due to injury.
The 4-1 defeat against PSG revealed the Catalan team’s difficulties in protecting their goal, especially when their advanced defense is exposed to rival attacks.
“We will have to defend much better than we did in Paris. That is what we have been talking about today and I hope to be able to demonstrate it tomorrow,” Flick said on the eve of the match.
The German coach trusts that his team will regain defensive solidity without giving up the offensive style that has made them one of the highest scoring teams in the championship.
Raphinha and Mbappé, protagonists of the scoring fight
Barcelona retains one of its main strengths: its ability to transform chances into goals. The team averages more than four goals per game this season and has Raphinha as LaLiga’s top scorer, with 12 goals.
Kylian Mbappé occupies second position with nine goals, while Lamine Yamal has eight. Both forwards also aspire to the Ballon d’Or, but the classic represents an opportunity to make a difference in the domestic competition.
“Our unbeaten streak in the championship is still intact and we will do everything possible to maintain it,” Raphinha told TNT Sports.
Barcelona will seek to take advantage of the field factor to consolidate its leadership, while Real Madrid will try to prolong its recovery and close the gap. With the stars of both teams under the spotlight and defensive doubts as one of the main factors of the confrontation, the classic promises to be a decisive test for the aspirations of both clubs.
