Confident Barcelona visit unpredictable La Liga champions Real Madrid

MADRID – La Liga leaders Barcelona visit rivals Real Madrid in a mouth-watering Clasico on Oct 26, aiming to strike a significant blow in the title race.

They hold a three-point lead on the second-placed Spanish and European champions, who are struggling for consistency and balance as they head into Kylian Mbappe’s first Clasico as a Real player.

It is also Barcelona coach Hansi Flick’s first Clasico and his team’s 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Oct 23 demonstrated how he has revitalised the Catalan giants in a matter of months.

Real had their own European epic on Oct 22 in a repeat of last season’s final against Borussia Dortmund, where they produced a classic Los Blancos comeback from two goals down to destroy the visitors 5-2.

Their poor first half gave way to an explosive second, with Vinicius Jr scoring a hat-trick.

“Very timid, with little control,” coach Carlo Ancelotti summarised his team’s first half against Dortmund.

“But we woke up after the break and did very well, in all aspects, intensity, pressing, quality, everything... It was spectacular.”

He was in no doubt over which version of Real he expects to see against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“It’s not too complicated... the second-half Madrid,” added the Italian coach.

Los Blancos will be without Rodrygo and Thibaut Courtois after injuries against Dortmund, while Jude Bellingham is yet to score in 10 games this season, having netted 10 goals at the same stage in 2023.

Without the retired Toni Kroos, Ancelotti must lean heavily on 39-year-old Luka Modric for midfield creativity, as Real bid to extend their La Liga unbeaten streak to 43 games, matching Barcelona’s all-time record set between 2017 and 2018.

Vinicius’ treble was a timely reminder of his quality ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Oct 28, where he is expected to win the accolade for the first time.

“We’ll go for it, in our stadium, with our fans, and we will fight for everything this season, like always,” he said.

The Brazilian forward and Mbappe have the pace to devastate Barcelona’s defence, if Flick persists with his high back-line. Bayern broke through it several times in the first half, and on another night may have scored more than once.

However, Barcelona’s attack is in sizzling form and Vinicius’ compatriot Raphinha netted a hat-trick of his own against the German giants.

At times, he and teenage Spain winger Lamine Yamal were utterly unstoppable, while veteran target man Robert Lewandowski was at his lethal best.

The 36-year-old Polish striker has 12 La Liga goals, at least double that of any other player, including Mbappe on six.

Barcelona have nine wins from 10 games in La Liga, despite a raft of injury problems, which are starting to abate.

Flick has Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez and summer arrival Dani Olmo back at his disposal after they missed most of the season.

The coach said the emphatic win over Bayern was the best way to arrive at the Clasico.

“If you win this type of game, you have to celebrate it, for the team it’s incredible,” noted Flick.

“It gives us the confidence to believe in ourselves ahead of Saturday’s game.” AFP