Real Madrid CF (2nd, 24pts) vs FC Barcelona (1st, 27pts)
Barcelona tops with 27 points in 10 matches. Real is number two with 24 points in the equal match. If Real wins at home today, they will catch Barcelona. On the other hand, a Barca win means the distance will increase further
The Santiago Bernabeu is in a festive mood today (Saturday). The eyes of Real-Barca fans spread all over the world are now on one side. Expect a crowded El Clasico.
Kylian Mbappe will play El Clasico for the first time. Real Madrid fans are also excited about Vinicius Junior ahead of this La Liga match on Saturday. The Brazilian star scored a hat-trick in the Champions League this week.
But there is room for thought. Rodrigo will not be able to play in that match due to injury. For example, Thibaut Courtois will not be able to play. Dani Carvajal may not play the whole season.
Still, Real Madrid is ahead of the stars. There’s Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius, talented midfielders like Andrić, experienced midfielders like Luka Modric, smart midfielders like Federico Gelverde – all together, Real are a balanced team.
On the other hand, coach Hansi Flick, the coach of Barcelona, has a bunch of young footballers. Lamine Yamal is 17 years old. Pedri, Marc Casado, Fermin Lopes, Alejandro Balde, Ansu Fati – all five are in their twenties. Fati will turn 22 on October 31. Gabi is 20 years old. 36-year-old Lewandowski is like ‘everyone’s uncle’ in this team.
But what the young team can do, was seen last Wednesday against Bayern Munich. Beat Bayern 4-1 in the Champions League.