The last El Clasico confrontation of the 2024-25 season is here, with Barcelona and Real Madrid for the fourth time. The Catalans have all won three previous meetings, and if they repeat the performance at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Company, they would all guarantee themselves as La Liga-Champions.
This season Barcelona has 4-0, 5-2 and 3-2 victories under their leash in their luminaire, and they will have faith in a different success on a home floor. But they will have to bounce back from their Champions League exit earlier this week, so mental strength will be needed – mainly because Hansi Flick is planning to name the same side that started in Milan, says Sport. He has Alejandro Bald and Marc Casado back from an injury, while Robert Lewandowski insists on starting, but all three will be on the couch.
As far as Real Madrid is concerned, they know that a second consecutive victory in the Estadi Olimpic (after the 2-1 victory of last season) would close them within one point in the La Liga title race. But due to injuries, Carlo Ancelotti will be forced to start with the same players who were confronted with Celta Vigo last weekend, according to Marca. Rodrygo returns after missing that match, but Arda Guler is expected to keep his place in the line-up.
It should be another compelling El Clasico match-up in Catalonia. Barcelona are certainly favorites, and with Real Madrid three of their four starting defenders misses, there is a serious risk that there could still be an eruption on the cards. But these competitions usually do not work that way, and with La Liga on the line, the defending champion will desperately secure the victory they need to keep their hope alive from ending the season with a large trophy.