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Real Madrid-Barcelona preview: Everything you need to know about El Clasico

Eleven games into the season, we have our first Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday at 9pm local time (8pm BST, 3pm ET).

There is a lot at stake. Madrid could move level on points with Barca at the top of the table with a win (which gives them an advantage as La Liga is decided by direct results). With a win in their arch-rivals' home game, Hansi Flick's strong team could extend their lead to six points.

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Both teams have just recorded impressive Champions League wins against Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich during the week. And if that wasn't enough to tempt you, the presence of stars like Kylian Mbappe, Ballon d'Or favorite Vinicius Junior, a revitalized Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal should be.

Here's what you need to know about the 258th Clasico.


What has changed for both teams since they last played each other in La Liga in April?

There were two big changes at Real Madrid: the resignation of Toni Kroos and the arrival of Mbappé.

The German midfielder ensured Madrid's success through the way he structured the defense's movements, with the team now playing more direct and less sophisticated. The more energetic Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham have been given more prominent roles, but coach Carlo Ancelotti has not yet found the creative force to replicate Kroos' influence.

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Vinicius Jr. was Madrid's undisputed star on the left wing – but that changed with the signing of Mbappé. The Frenchman also prefers to play in this position, so the two had to alternate during games, with Mbappe nominally starting as a center forward but moving to the left and Vinicius Jr. often drifting into the middle.

Mbappe had a mixed start to his career in Madrid. He scored eight goals and provided two assists in 13 games, but sometimes didn't seem to fit into this system.

Earlier this month, his lawyer said she believed there was “nothing to blame” him after reports linked him to an alleged rape in Sweden. He is also still embroiled in a legal dispute with PSG over €55 million ($60 million; £46 million at current exchange rates) in wages and bonuses from his time at the club that he says he is entitled to.

Guillermo Rai


Mbappe started as a center forward for Madrid (Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

If you look at the names for Barcelona, ​​there isn't much different. Dani Olmo was their only major signing this summer and they let Ilkay Gundogan return to Manchester City on a free transfer after a year, but the most influential change came on the sidelines.

Flick replaced Xavi as coach and Barca's world now looks completely different. They play more directly and aggressively without the ball, take a high line and push their opponents tirelessly to give them a good start to the season.

Despite being an outsider, Flick reaffirms the club's trust in the La Masia academy. 21-year-old midfielder Marc Casado is the latest talent off the production line and played a starring role in Wednesday's 4-1 win against Bayern.

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How have they done so far this season?

When things are going well in Barcelona, ​​it is usually the case that the players in Madrid are more pessimistic – and this season is no exception.

On the surface, Madrid are just three points behind Flick's team and have never lost in La Liga. But the team's style is making no progress, despite Ancelotti saying a month ago that the problem and the solution were “clear”. Bellingham is the player who has suffered the most – the Englishman scored 23 goals in his sensational debut season in 2023/24, but now appears lost in midfield.

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The lack of fresh ideas has forced Ancelotti to use 39-year-old Luka Modric as his creative fulcrum, but that may not be a long-term solution. Defensively, Madrid are conceding more chances than last season (although they have actually conceded three fewer goals than Barca's ten in La Liga). The theory was that this would be offset by the fireworks from Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. in attack, but at the moment the balance is off.

Guillermo Rai

Barca did incredibly well. The Catalans were by far the best team in Spain, with 27 points after 10 games, 33 goals scored and impressive performances, such as against Bayern.

Flick got the team going and completely changed the mood in the club, including among managers and fans. Barcelona are energetic and well-structured, and the players seem to have taken to their new coach's ideas with ease.

There have been doubts as to whether Flick will maintain his side's fearless approach against a Madrid side that can be lethal on the counter-attack – Barca have caught their opponents offside an average of 6.5 times per game this season, which is an absolute challenge. Times are high in La Liga at the moment – but their fans can't help but look forward and hope for this Clasico.

With Lewandowski, Raphinha and Yamal, they have the most dangerous attacking trio in Europe's top five domestic leagues, with a combined 21 goals (the second most are Manchester City with 15 from the top three scorers). Added to this is Pedri's re-emergence in midfield, as the Spaniard appears to have put his injury problems behind him. Then there is the central defender pairing of Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi, who only conceded five league goals in the game together.

Pol Ballus

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Did you have any injury concerns before this game?

Madrid has some key players. Thibaut Courtois (the No. 1 goalkeeper), Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Rodrygo are all out. Right-back Carvajal could be the biggest loss after his serious knee injury earlier this month – substitute Lucas Vazquez is more winger than full-back and didn't look entirely convincing.

Tchouameni is still battling a foot problem and was rested against Dortmund but is expected to play tomorrow. Militao had a knee scare against Celta Vigo last Saturday but nothing came of it, while Bellingham are still struggling with long-standing shoulder problems – although that won't stop them from starting in this game.

Brahim Diaz has recovered from a muscle injury and is expected to be available. He could represent an interesting alternative from the bench.

Guillermo Rai

The only doubt for Barcelona was defensive midfielder Eric Garcia, who felt slight groin discomfort last week before Sunday's game against Sevilla. He did not train with the team today and is expected to miss this game. Other than him, things seem pretty clear.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (their first choice in goal), Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal and Ferran Torres are all out through injury, but Flick has brought back Olmo, Fermin Lopez and Frenkie de Jong in recent weeks. It's hard to imagine either of them playing the full 90 minutes against Madrid, but they will give Flick options during the game.

Pol Ballus


Flick got Barcelona going (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Who is the star player on both teams?

If we had to answer this question a few weeks ago, we would probably talk about Mbappe, as it is his first Clasico after waiting seemingly endlessly for his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Madrid over the last few years. And his eight goals make him their joint top goalscorer, but it is the other Madrid player with that record – Vinicius Jr. – who has taken center stage in recent weeks.

The Brazilian's second-half hat-trick against Dortmund on Tuesday showed why he is their most dangerous player. Vinicius Jr.'s ability to break through defenses and connect with the Bernabeu crowd is likely to be a major concern for Flick and his players tomorrow.

Guillermo Rai

It must be Yamal. There are so many standout names in Barcelona's start to the season – including Lewandowski, a newly confident Raphinha and Pedri – but the 17-year-old's rise continues rapidly.

After winning the European Championship with Spain in the summer, he has brought more consistency and numbers to his game this season – with five goals and seven assists in 13 games. Furthermore, he remains Barca's go-to guy in attack when they need a creative edge and a player feared by all opposing teams.

He is also a player for the big occasion. Against Bayern in midweek he provided an assist, then produced nutmegs, flicks and dribbles to evade Alphonso Davies, Serge Gnabry and Joao Palhinha, among others.

In previous interviews, Yamal said the toughest defender he had faced in his short career was Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy. There can be no better motivation for him to perform on Saturday.

Pol Ballus

So what are their best starting XIs for this game?

What is your prediction for the game?

Guillermo: Madrid wins 2-1.

Pole: Barcelona wins 3-1.

And where can I see it?

In the UK you can watch El Clasico on La Liga TV via Premier Sports. You can watch it on ESPN+ in the United States.

(Image above: Getty Images)

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