LA LIGA PREVIEW: REAL MADRID VS BARCELONA (El CLASICO)

INTRODUCTION

Can Barcelona put their european disappointments behind them and continue their imperious La Liga form?

The Catalan giants travel to the spanish capital for the first major test in La Liga. They visit the revisioned enemy ground of their opponents, with whom they're currently tied at the top spot in the league. Both come into this clash as the only remaining undefeated teams in Spain, although that's likely to change soon. 

Real Madrid enter into this mouth watering clash on the back of a 1-1 draw in the Champions League to Shaktar Donetsk, disappointing by their own standards, which prevented Ancelotti from moving past Sir Alex Ferguson as the coach with the most UCL wins. It was enough to seal their qualification for the Knockouts though. Other than the 1-1 draw against Osasuna, they have also been quite imperious in La Liga, behind Barcelona only because of goal difference. They'll want to change that.

Barcelona however, are at the other end of the spectrum. Their Champions League campaign looks to have ended after the energy zapping 3-3 draw with Inter. It's been a disappointing european campaign, but their domestic run has been on point so far. Boasting the best attack and defense in the league (ironically at this point), they have reason to be confident, knowing that two out of the three possible outcomes of the El Clasico will favour them. They'll be focused on the win though, just like the last time they visited the Estádio Santiago Bernabeu.

INTERESTING STATS

Barça were on an extraordinary run against Real, which included an unprecedented four consecutive league victories at the Bernabéu, and saw them finally match the all-whites for wins in official Clásico meetings.

However, that brilliant was interrupted in recent years, with Madrid winning four league Clásicos in a row and also beating Barça in the Super Cup in Riyadh.

 Barça then enjoyed yet another massive Win in the Madrid, 4-0 with goals from Aubameyang (2), Araujo and Torres.

Real Madrid now lead the all-time count 100-96. Although, if non-official matches are also counted, Barça lead the all-time series.

Barça also won the most recent meeting between the sides in a preseason friendly in Las Vegas, Raphinha scoring the only goal of the match. 

Last five competitive meetings
20/03/22 (LIGA) Real Madrid 0-4 Barça
12/01/22 (SUPER CUP) Barça 2-3 Real Madrid
24/10/21 (LIGA) Barça 1-2 Real Madrid
10/04/21 (LIGA) Real Madrid 2-1 Barça
24/10/20 (LIGA) Barça 1-3 Real Madrid

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Los Blancos will be without their number one, Thibault Courtois. This is definitely a massive blow for the whites, who have the Belgian to thank for their impermeability in defense throughout much of last season. Dani Ceballos is also out. Antonio Rudiger, despite suffering a head injury against Shaktar Donetsk, is deemed fit, but is unlikely to start, with Alaba and Militao likely to get the nod in central defense. Everyone else is fit for this clash.

Barcelona

Barcelona will be pleased to have Koundé return to the squad in time for this game, but his level of fitness will be assessed on the job. Gerard Pique will likely make way. Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, Memphis Depay and Hector Bellerin are still unavailable through injuries. TerStegen has conceded only one goal so far in La Liga, a stark contrast to his stats in europe, through no fault of his for the most part anyways. Frenkie DeJong is also available to start in Midfield, along with Frank Kessie. Xavi will also have to make some changes in front, with Fati likely to get the nod alongside Dembele/Raphinha and Lewandowski.

Where and when are Real Madrid vs Barcelona playing?

• Location: Madrid, Spain
• Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
• Date: Sunday 16 October
• Kick-off Time: 15:15 BST / 10:15 EST / 07:15 PST
• VAR: Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez
• Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez

CONCLUSION

It's the El Clasico. It can go any way. That being said, it's important to note that both teams have stumbled a bit in form heading into this clash, each also have reasons to be confident against the other. Barcelona will always be capable of springing up a surprise, but Real Madrid will want to inflict more pain to the Catalans in what has been a vastly disappointing week.