The final El Clasico of the season is set to take place on Sunday as Barcelona hosts Real Madrid in a match pivotal for the La Liga title race. Barcelona currently holds a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table, putting them in a strong position to secure the title with only four games remaining. Coupled with their record of having already defeated their rivals three times this season, Sunday`s encounter appears to favour Barcelona. However, following their intense 7-6 aggregate loss to Inter in the UEFA Champions League semifinals, questions linger about Barcelona`s readiness for another major challenge.
The gap between first and second place in La Liga is narrow enough to entertain the possibility of Real Madrid securing a crucial victory on Sunday, a result that would ignite a frantic sprint to the finish line for both teams. This match is of paramount importance for Los Blancos as well, as the La Liga title represents their sole chance of avoiding a trophyless season, particularly noteworthy in what is anticipated to be Carlo Ancelotti`s final campaign at the helm.
What Barcelona Are Saying
Barcelona`s aspiration to win the treble for the first time in a decade ended with their disappointing Champions League defeat. This raises a key question ahead of Sunday`s Clasico: Can they recover and perform in another high-stakes match? Coach Hansi Flick stated in his pre-match press conference that the team has successfully shifted their focus to the upcoming task after the setback in Milan.
“After the defeat in Milan, everyone knows it`s not easy immediately, but we`re handling it well,” Flick commented. “We discussed the path forward for the next two weeks. We have four matches left. Of course, the Clasico tomorrow is hugely important to demonstrate our capabilities once again. In a Clasico, you must perform at your highest level. We aim to be proactive, intense, and dominant, as is our style. We know Real is a fantastic side, but we have home advantage and our fans. Real will push hard for the win, just like us. I`m not focused on the league table right now; the focus is simply on winning. That`s our mindset and approach heading into the match.”
As has been the case recently, Barcelona may still face some player absences. While Robert Lewandowski returned from a brief injury, he may not be ready to start, and the same applies to Alejandro Balde.
“For starting, I don`t believe the timing is right for them,” Flick explained. “Ferran [Torres] in attack and Gerard [Martin] at left-back have been performing very well. Seeing Gerard play in a Champions League semifinal was truly impressive. [Marc] Casado is also available. But we need to be cautious. We have three more league matches after facing Madrid. Tomorrow might be an opportunity for them to contribute in the second half.”
What Real Madrid Are Saying
For several weeks now, Real Madrid has faced persistent questions regarding Carlo Ancelotti`s future, with reports suggesting his departure, potentially to manage the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Ancelotti maintained that this uncertainty has not disrupted the players` preparation for El Clasico.
“Preparing for these matches isn`t complicated because the players are already motivated,” Ancelotti said in his Saturday press conference. “The task is to provide them with the clearest tactical instructions possible. The external situation hasn`t affected us at all this week. We are in good spirits and very confident, with no issues.”
Ancelotti also took the opportunity to commend Xabi Alonso, the former Real Madrid player and departing Bayer Leverkusen coach, who is widely tipped to succeed Ancelotti in the near future.
“I`ve seen reports that he is leaving Leverkusen, where he has done a fantastic job,” Ancelotti remarked. “All opportunities are open to him because he has demonstrated himself to be one of the top coaches globally.”
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: Lamine Yamal is increasingly becoming the standout player for Barcelona. At just 17 years old, he has become a cornerstone of the team`s attacking strategy. Even with Robert Lewandowski potentially not starting, the recent weeks have highlighted Yamal`s capability to spearhead the attack, both by creating chances for teammates and by finding the back of the net himself. He has contributed significantly this season with 15 goals and 20 assists, including two goals and two assists across the three previous Clasicos this campaign. The teenager`s form is particularly vital given Barcelona`s defensive vulnerabilities; while they concede goals, they often compensate by outscoring opponents, including Real Madrid, against whom they hold a 12-4 goal advantage this season.
Storyline to Watch
Can Barcelona Hold On?: Barcelona`s talent is undeniable, as is their strong record against a somewhat underperforming Real Madrid this season. The key question is whether their recent Champions League elimination will impact their performance. While their defensive weaknesses have been evident throughout the season, the Champions League finalists, Inter, were perhaps the first to truly capitalize on them effectively. This situation appears potentially exploitable for Real Madrid, who possess attacking threats like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, players capable of breaching a vulnerable backline. However, Real Madrid has also shown defensive imbalance in their new `Galacticos` era, resulting in a limited end product despite individual quality. The final Clasico of the season offers both teams a chance to make a statement, but it remains possible that neither side has enough energy left to truly dominate.
Prediction
It`s not entirely out of the question for Real Madrid to reverse their unfavorable record against Barcelona this season, especially given the high stakes. However, Barcelona`s defensive struggles are somewhat mirrored by their opponent`s; Real Madrid will likely be without Antonio Rudiger, potentially forcing Aurelien Tchouameni into a makeshift center-back role alongside the relatively inexperienced Raul Ascensio, which could create complications. Even if both teams have defensive issues that cancel each other out, Barcelona still seems to have an edge in attack. Regardless of Real Madrid`s individual talent, they haven`t consistently made it `click` this season. Barcelona, meanwhile, has demonstrated the ability to score goals even without Lewandowski – netting 12 in five recent games. If they can recover mentally from their European exit and perform with intensity, they should be able to showcase their strengths once again on Sunday. Pick: Barcelona 3, Real Madrid 1
