Undefeated at home and leading La Liga with an 8-point lead, Real Madrid approaches the Clasico with confidence and can move closer to the title in the event of a victory against FC Barcelona.
20:59 – Entrance of both teams
Players from Real Madrid and FC Barcelona enter the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu, whose roof has been closed despite the bright sun and blue sky above the Spanish capital.
20:55 – Four in a row?
After losing three consecutive times against FC Barcelona, Real Madrid has just had three consecutive victories against its Catalan rival. In case of victory, he could achieve his best series against the Blaugranas since the 5 consecutive victories recorded between March 2020 and March 2022.
20:50 – Almost never silent
Despite the departure of Karim Benzema last summer, Real Madrid have maintained their offensive consistency and have the most prolific attack in the Championship. In La Liga, only one team managed to prevent Vinicius, Bellingham and others from scoring. This is Rayo Vallecano, last November 5 (0-0).
20:45 – The good Catalan series
Since its home defeat against Villerreal on January 27, FC Barcelona has not lost in La Liga with 8 wins and 2 draws in 10 matches. The Catalan club remains on 4 consecutive victories.
20:40 – A single defeat for Real Madrid
This season, Real Madrid has had an almost perfect run in La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who are at the top, have only lost once in the league. It was on the pitch of Atletico de Madrid during the Madrid derby on September 24 (1-3). They are now on a 25-game unbeaten streak.
20:35 – Undefeated away
If Real Madrid have not lost a match this season at home in La Liga, this is also the case for FC Barcelona away. In the league, the Blaugranas have 9 wins and 6 draws on the road.
8:30 p.m. – Undefeated at home
This season, Real Madrid has not lost a single match at Santiago-Bernabeu (13 wins and 2 draws). His series even stretches over 20 matches in a row since his last home defeat in La Liga dates back to April 8, 2023 and the reception of Villarreal (2-3).
20:25 – Madrid in control, Barcelona not ready to give up
“We will be very close to the title if we manage to win, bearing in mind that we are playing against a very competitive opponent. It will be a clasico which will be as always a very competitive and balanced match”warned Carlo Ancelotti, admitting that this Sunday Real Madrid could kill all suspense 6 days before the end of La Liga.
If he has confidence and dynamism on his side, the Merengues know that nothing will be given to them and especially not by FC Barcelona, rival and outgoing champion not decided to give up their title without a fight. “We have the opportunity to relaunch ourselves in La Liga. This is the most important match of our season”said Xavi, who prepared his team to suffer and asked for pride. “It’s the perfect match to demonstrate our personality. We have prepared well for the match. The first minutes will be decisive. We will have to calm down Real”he added as a prelude to a boiling Clasico.
20:20 – Barça keeps pace
During the previous day, FC Barcelona sought victory in Cadiz in Andalusia, following the pace set by Real Madrid, victorious earlier in Mallorca. Despite a team reshuffled to rest the executives before the quarter-final return against PSG, Xavi was able to count on Joao Felix to win, his players having otherwise mastered their subject in the first relegation (1-0).
20:15 – Madrilenians calm against Mallorca
Last weekend, Real Madrid provided the essentials away. On the pitch in Mallorca, the Merengues had controlled the debates against the locals who were too fair to worry them. Tchouaméni scored the only goal of the match shortly after returning from the locker room (1-0).
20:10 – Act CCLVII (or act 257)
This is the 257th time that Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have met on the European stage in an official match. For the moment, the advantage is very slightly in favor of the Merengues who have 104 wins against 100 for their Blaugrana rivals, for 52 draws.
20:08 – The composition of FC Barcelona with Araujo and Gündogan
For this decisive Clasico at Santiago-Bernabeu, Xavi decided to field his typical team, ignoring the tensions reported in the press between Araujo and Gündogan. The Uruguayan is aligned in the central axis with the young Cubarsi. Cancelo and Koundé will occupy the full-back positions on the left and right. For his part, the German is part of the Blaugrana triangle with De Jong and Christensen. Up front, Lewandowski will lead the Catalan attack supported by Raphinha and Yamal.
20:05 – Soto Grado on whistle
The match will be refereed by Mr. César Soto Grado, who will supervise his very first Clasico. Video refereeing will be provided by José Maria Sanchez Martinez.
20:03 – Tchouaméni and Camavinga starting in defense, the composition of Real Madrid
To face FC Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti recovers Tchouaméni, suspended midweek for the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League. The Frenchman is lined up from the start, in place Nacho, in central defense next to Rüdiger. Lucas Vazquez will be responsible for occupying the right flank while the other Frenchman Camavinga will be positioned on the left, replaces Mendy, not quite recovered from Wednesday’s efforts. In the middle, Modric will start with Valverde and Kroos. In front, classic with Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius.