Mbappé’s Real Madrid eye clasico revenge against injury-hit Barcelona
Barcelona arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu with concerns of injury during the attack, with manager Hansi Flick heading for a seat in the stadium stands after receiving a red card for protest in the final round. Lamine Yamal, who played two matches after his groin injury, will play with the guest team.
KEY MATCHES
All eyes will be on the first classic of the season to see whether new coach Xabi Alonso can save Madrid from the deadlock they experienced against Barcelona. Barcelona had finished the quarter of the classic in all competitions last season with a combined score of 16-7. Barcelona started this series by winning their League fixture in Madrid 4-0. They then won the Spanish Super Cup 5-2, the Copa del Rey final 3-2 and La Liga again 4-3.
“They showed great finishing last year and we have to try to contain that firepower while being more lively up front,” Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said. Madrid beat Juventus 1-0 on Wednesday with a goal from Jude Bellingham, but Alonso’s team suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid in another big La Liga encounter last month. Barcelona defeated Olympiacos 6-1.
Midfielder Fermín López scored a hat-trick and Marcus Rashford added two more goals as Madrid remained top of the Spanish league table, two points clear of champions Barcelona.
Villarreal, in third place, and Atletico, in fourth place, will try to close the gap at the top. Villarreal is at Valencia on Saturday, while Atletico will go to fifth-placed Real Betis on Monday with both points.
OUT OF ACTION
Raphinha will remain on Barcelona’s injured list and left-back Jules Koundé is in doubt over his availability for Sunday’s clásico, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to feature for Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold was included in Xabi Alonso’s squad list on Saturday for the first time since the former Liverpool star injured his left knee in mid-September. Thus, only Antonio Rudiger remained on Madrid’s injured list. Barcelona were without Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo and first-choice goalkeeper Joan García due to injuries for the big game. Raphinha will be out for a month after injuring his right leg in late September.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rashford is in a strong position to start up front for Barcelona alongside Yamal. The on-loan England striker has scored six goals since his transfer from Manchester United.
Pau Cubarsí is the key starting player in Barcelona’s defence. 18-year-old Éric García or Ronald Araújo will take on the task of slowing down Mbappé. “Everyone knows how talented Mbappé is and all his players are world class,” Cubarsí said. “But we need to focus on our game” Arda Güler emerged as Madrid’s biggest surprise, filling the void created by the departure of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric from the team in the last two summers. The 20-year-old Turkish midfielder has provided five assists and scored three goals in all competitions this season.
