The first El Clasico of the 2024/25 season is upon us, as Real Madrid hosts Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu in one of football’s most anticipated matchups. With Barcelona sitting atop La Liga standings under new head coach Hansi Flick, Real Madrid faces a three-point gap as they look to defend home turf. Both sides come into this clash in red-hot form, making this a potential season-defining encounter.
Form and Key Players Heading into El Clasico
Barcelona has shown significant progress under Flick, highlighted by a commanding 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich in their latest UEFA Champions League fixture. Brazilian winger Raphinha was the standout, scoring a hat trick in that match and emerging as one of the most effective forwards in Europe. Averaging a goal or assist every 71.5 minutes this season, Raphinha’s form has been pivotal to Barcelona’s strong start.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, is riding the momentum of an impressive Champions League comeback of their own, overturning a 2-0 halftime deficit to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-2. This comeback was fueled by Ballon d’Or favorite Vinicius Junior, who scored a hat trick and has amassed five goals and five assists across 14 games this season. As Real Madrid adjusts to the absence of key players like Rodrygo Goes and Thibaut Courtois, Vinicius’ role has become even more central.
Tactical Decisions and Confirmed Lineups
Carlo Ancelotti has made some notable selections for Real Madrid’s lineup. With Andriy Lunin standing in for the injured Courtois and Lucas Vazquez filling in for Dani Carvajal in defense, Real Madrid’s backline will be slightly altered. Vazquez will also serve as captain for the day.
Up front, Kylian Mbappe pairs with Vinicius as expected, but Ancelotti has gone with an unconventional midfield, leaving veteran Luka Modric on the bench. The midfield quartet of Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Fede Valverde aims to restrict space for Barcelona’s wingers, especially the dangerous pair of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Bellingham and Camavinga are set to limit movement on the flanks, while Tchouameni and Valverde will anchor the central midfield.
Key Players to Watch: Vinicius Junior and Raphinha
Vinicius Junior has emerged as one of the world’s top talents, with his recent performances adding weight to his Ballon d’Or candidacy. After scoring in two Champions League finals (2022 and 2024) and a 24-goal season last year, he is considered the frontrunner for the award. A strong performance in this El Clasico could further his case, with both Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric backing him for the honor.
For Barcelona, Raphinha has become a breakout star this season. After a slow start since his move from Leeds United in 2022, the Brazilian has found his rhythm under Flick. His hat trick against Bayern Munich demonstrated his ability to step up on big occasions, and with nine goals and six assists this season, Raphinha will be critical in Barcelona’s bid to extend their lead at the top of the standings.
Historical Context: El Clasico’s Rich Legacy
With 125 wins, Barcelona holds the edge in El Clasico’s historical head-to-head record, while Real Madrid has won 111 times, and 64 matches have ended in draws. The rivalry’s all-time top scorer is Lionel Messi with 26 goals, followed by Real Madrid icons Alfredo Di Stefano and Cristiano Ronaldo, each with 18 goals. In terms of appearances, Sergio Busquets leads with 48, with Messi and Sergio Ramos tied for second at 45 games each.
Where to Watch
The match kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 26, at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid and will be streamed live on ESPN+ in the U.S. With Real Madrid slightly favored at +100 and Barcelona close behind at +230, the odds reflect the close contest expected between these two high-caliber sides.
The Stakes and the Drama Ahead
This El Clasico promises to be a thrilling chapter in the historic rivalry, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona fielding teams full of in-form stars and new talent. Real Madrid will look to narrow the gap with a win, while Barcelona aims to solidify their place at the top of La Liga under Flick’s fresh guidance. With key players like Vinicius Junior and Raphinha at the peak of their powers, fans can expect a fierce, high-stakes battle that will be remembered for years to come.