Real Madrid is facing its last chance to fight for the league title. This Sunday’s El Clásico is one of the most decisive Real Madrid – Barcelona matches in recent years in the league championship. Only a victory will do for the Whites. A draw would only give them a chance with a miracle, and defeat would mean saying goodbye to the season. And they will do so, as has been the norm throughout the season, with numerous players missing.
How Barcelona are doing
Real Madrid are clinging to Barcelona’s recent form in their last few games. They managed a hard-fought victory in La Liga against a already relegated Valladolid, albeit after rotating their squad due to their involvement in the Champions League semi-finals. The way in which the Blaugrana team fell in Italy is what the Whites are clinging to. After coming within inches of the final, they were drawn level and went into extra time before finally being eliminated.
Barcelona had a historic treble within their grasp, especially given where this team has come from. But their elimination from the Champions League puts even more pressure on them. The fear of ending the year with only one trophy could weigh heavily on Hansi Flick‘s men, and Real Madrid know it. The question remains as to whether Lewandowski will be fit to play. It looks like he will, as he played in extra time against Inter, but if Kounde and Balde are definitely out, it will be a tough task defending against Vinicius and Mbappé.
How Real Madrid are approaching El Clásico
Real Madrid are approaching the game with the motivation that characterizes them when they are chasing the impossible. A few days ago, the feeling was that the season was over. And so it seemed. But recent events involving their rivals have given them hope. They are aware that Barcelona has been superior to them in the three games played so far, especially in the first two, where they won 0-4 at the Santiago Bernabéu and 5-2 in the European Super Cup. But in the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid was minutes away from winning the title, and they believe that now is the time to make a statement. They want to put pressure on and if they can’t win La Liga, it won’t be because they failed in the final stretch. They want to win everything and wait and see what happens.
Real Madrid absences
Real Madrid comes into this game with many absences, especially in defense. Carvajal and Militao are joined by Alaba, Rudiger, Mendy, and Camavinga. All defenders except for Camavinga, who could well have been the starter at left back for this match. With the defense in tatters, Ancelotti has no choice but to look for alternatives once again. The coach reportedly had several doubts when putting together the starting eleven, but with Camavinga out of the midfield and Tchouaméni forced into defense, the question seems to have been answered. The other question was whether to play with three or four men in midfield, but recent games have also clarified his ideas for Sunday’s match.
Real Madrid’s line-up against Barcelona
Carlo Ancelotti will go with Lucas Vázquez on the right to allow Valverde to play in midfield. On the other hand, he will rely on Güler rather than Rodrygo. This will be Real Madrid’s starting eleven.
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
- Defenders: Lucas Vázquez, Raúl Asencio, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Fran García
- Midfielders: Fede Valverde, Dani Ceballos, Arda Güler, and Jude Bellingham
- Forwards: Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr.