FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid match promises to be exciting

The 257th El Clasico was held today in Madrid. This is one of the biggest tournaments in the world. Today's clash promises to be very exciting again.

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The big showdown between Real Madrid and Barcelona will take place this Saturday at 9pm. The 256 meetings so far have included some major battles that have made headlines. Especially in these three seasons, BBC's stormy Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo met MSN's Barcelona starting lineup of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar trio.

Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have shaped El Clasico over the years.Image source: imago sports photo service

None of these six players are currently playing in Europe. Messi and Suarez still play together for Inter Miami, and Ronaldo, Neymar and Benzema all play in the Saudi Arabian league but for different clubs. Gareth Bale has now swapped his football boots for golf clubs and is now trying his luck there.

In the following years, El Clasico remained a prestigious competition. But the showdown between the two rival clubs has lost a bit of its appeal, especially beyond Spain's borders. But now a new generation is preparing to shape the long-term rivalry between Spain's two biggest teams.

classic future

Real from Madrid have made further progress this summer and signed one of the best players in the world, Kylian Mbappe. For these three, who in addition to Mbappe also include Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, who are likely to win the Ballon d'Or, their achievements only count towards the title.

These three will win titles for Real Madrid in the coming years.Image: trapezoid

But not everything went as expected at the start of the season; Real fell behind Barcelona from the start after drawing two of their first three games of the season.

Barcelona is still in excellent form, winning 11 of 13 games in all competitions this season. They have 36-year-old striker Lewandowski at their disposal, but the Pole has also been outstanding this season, scoring 15 goals in 13 games so far. LeVa's contract runs until the summer of 2026, with an option to extend by one year.

In addition to Lewandowski, Rafinha also seems to be ready for the game against Real Madrid. In the Champions League match against Bayern, the Brazilian scored a hat-trick with a wonderful performance. He totaled 17 points in 13 games.

The Catalans' attack has been the highlight of Hansi Flick's side so far. Barcelona has scored 33 goals in 10 championship games so far. The best offense in the league by far. Real Madrid is second with 21 goals.

Raphinha and Lewandowski are in top form.Picture: www.imago-images.de

There are also high hopes for Barcelona's youngest talent. Lamine Yamar should be someone every football fan knows, especially since the European Championships in the summer. At the age of 17, the Spaniard had already won the Spanish Championship and the European Championship. Pedri was a member of Spain's European Cup team, had played more than 100 games in La Liga at the age of 21, and was also a member of the Barcelona team's council.

goalkeeping problem

Wojciech Szczesny is still waiting for his debut. The Pole announced his retirement from professional football in the summer. With Ter Stegen injured, Barcelona made a request for Szczesny; he could not refuse the opportunity to play for a big club, so the 34-year-old announced his resignation a month later.

So far, however, the goalkeeper has only been a substitute, with Inaki Pena performing well in place of the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen. He has kept four clean sheets in seven games. That's why Hansi Flick currently sees no reason to change the goalkeeper.

Wojciech Szczesny joins Barcelona.Image: trapezoid

Real Madrid is also plagued by injuries at the goalkeeper position. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered an adductor injury in his left leg against Borussia Dortmund and will miss at least Saturday night's El Clasico. Ukrainian Andrei Lunin will take his place, as he has done in the past two games against Barcelona.

Bernabeu Fortress

One of the most important aspects of Real Madrid is home advantage. Real Madrid have not lost a game at the Bernabeu in 39 home games. The last loss was on April 8, 2023, when the Galaxy lost 2-3 to Villarreal.

Real Madrid got out of trouble again against Dortmund.Image: trapezoid

The series looks set to be broken in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. Dortmund led 2-0 until the 60th minute, but Madrid attacked to make it 5-2 in a brilliant final half-hour.

Tonight will tell whether Hansi Flick's side can end Real Madrid's unbeaten run or whether they will extend it to 40 games.