Real Madrid Aims to Rebound Against Barça After Four Classic Losses

Real Madrid is set to face FC Barcelona in a highly anticipated match this Sunday. The matchup comes after Madrid suffered four consecutive defeats to their rivals last season. With the pressure on, both teams are looking to make a statement.

Current Team Form and Key Players

Kylian Mbappé has been in spectacular form, scoring 10 goals in the first nine matches of La Liga. He leads the league’s scoring chart, outpacing his nearest competitor by four goals. Additionally, he has netted five goals in the Champions League during the first two months of the season.

Barcelona arrives at the Santiago Bernabéu with injury concerns affecting their attack. Robert Lewandowski is ruled out due to a thigh injury, and Raphinha is uncertain to play. Despite this, Lamine Yamal is expected to start after recovering from an injury.

Coaching and Players to Watch

• Real Madrid Coach: Xabi Alonso aims to break the team’s poor record against Barcelona.
• Barcelona Coach: Hansi Flick will watch from the stands after his recent red card.
• Key Player for Madrid: Jude Bellingham, who scored in a recent 1-0 victory over Juventus.
• Key Player for Barcelona: Fermín López, who scored a hat-trick against Olympiakos in a recent match.

Previous Matchups and Statistics

Last season, Barcelona dominated their rivalry with aggregate scores of 16-7 over four matches. Highlights of the previous encounters include:

• Barcelona 4-0 Real Madrid (La Liga)
• Barcelona 5-2 Real Madrid (Supercopa de España)
• Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid (Copa del Rey Final)
• Barcelona 4-3 Real Madrid (La Liga)

League Standings

As it stands, Real Madrid tops La Liga, leading Barcelona by two points. The match is crucial, not just for bragging rights, but also to solidify their position at the top.

Injuries and Lineup Concerns

Both teams face several absentees:

• Barcelona:
  • Robert Lewandowski
  • Dani Olmo
  • Joan García
• Real Madrid:
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold
  • Antonio Rüdiger

Looking Ahead

Thibaut Courtois, the goalkeeper for Madrid, emphasized the importance of the match. “After losing multiple games to them last year, this year we aim to secure a victory,” he stated. Both teams come into the match with motivation to win and improve their standings.

This classic match promises to be an exciting encounter for fans of both clubs as they look to set the tone for the rest of the season.