Carlo Ancelotti’s side enter the fixture in strong touch. Kylian Mbappé, the league’s leading scorer with 10 goals, has been the difference-maker in nearly every outing, while Jude Bellingham continues to influence matches from midfield, his late winner against Juventus in the Champions League underscoring his growing importance.
For Barcelona, the trip comes amid mounting injury troubles. Robert Lewandowski remains sidelined with a hamstring strain, and Raphinha is still unavailable after suffering a leg injury last month. Their absence forces Hansi Flick, suspended from the touchline following his red card last week, to rely on youth and adaptability. Seventeen-year-old Lamine Yamal starts on the right, returning from a groin issue, while Fermín López — fresh off a Champions League hat trick — adds energy and creativity in midfield.
Both clubs arrive confident after midweek European wins, yet the subtext of this Clásico stretches beyond current form. For Madrid, it’s about asserting control over a rival that outplayed them last year; for Barcelona, it’s a test of resilience amid adversity.
With La Liga leadership at stake and both sides’ legacies in play, tonight’s encounter offers everything that defines an El Clásico — star power, tactical intrigue, and the weight of history pressing down on every pass.
