Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will resume their rivalry at the Bernabéu this Sunday, with the home side looking to bounce back from a frustrating 2024/25 season in which they lost all four of their meetings with their rivals from Catalonia. Both squads have changed since then, and Real Madrid have a new manager too in Xabi Alonso, so let’s take a look at the specific duels which could turn the tide in this rivalry. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
Carreras vs Lamine Yamal
This will be Álvaro Carreras’ first ELCLASICO, following his summer move to Real Madrid, but he is no stranger to Lamine Yamal. The current Real Madrid left-back has already faced FC Barcelona’s superstar winger on three occasions, once in a 2-2 draw with Granada CF in 2023/24 and in a pair of Champions League games with Benfica last season, which finished in 5-4 and 1-0 victories for Barça. Carreras was widely praised for his performances against Lamine Yamal, who didn’t score or assist in either game against Benfica. The teenager did, curiously, score his first ever LALIGA EA SPORTS goal in the Granada CF vs FC Barcelona game two seasons ago, and now he’ll hope for another as he goes up against Carreras at the Bernabéu.
Vinícius and Mbappé vs FC Barcelona’s offside trap
When FC Barcelona dominated ELCLASICO last season, they did so in large part thanks to their excellently executed offside trap. In fact, when they went to the Bernabéu they caught Real Madrid offside a total of 12 times, with Mbappé flagged eight times and Vinícius three. That was a key element of that game and of FC Barcelona’s 4-0 victory. Real Madrid did make improvements as the season went on, suffering one, seven and five offsides in the following three meetings with Barça. Now, in their new system under Xabi Alonso, their two forwards will look to time their runs well to truly cause Los Azulgranas some problems.
Mbappé vs Szczęsny
With Joan García injured, Wojciech Szczęsny will be the last man trying to deny Mbappé if he does beat the offside trap. And, that’ll be a major challenge, since the Frenchman is in superb form and is the top scorer in LALIGA EA SPORTS with 10 goals from nine appearances. Despite the Catalan club’s dominance in ELCLASICO last season, Mbappé did cause Szczęsny a lot of problems, scoring five goals in three appearances against the Polish goalkeeper and also getting the shot-stopper sent off for a last-man foul in the Spanish Super Cup. Hansi Flick will hope Szczęsny has better luck against Mbappé this Sunday.
Güler vs Pedri
There promises to be a fascinating battle in midfield in this game, where Arda Güler and Pedri will each look to drive their respective teams forward. The 20-year-old and the 22-year-old are among the most exciting attacking midfielders in all of world football and they’ve been thriving so far this season. The ranking for key passes so far this season in LALIGA EA SPORTS shows that Güler and Mbappé are top, with 23 each, while Pedri and Vinícius tie for second place, with 22 each. So, both teams will look to get the ball towards their playmakers, and Güler and Pedri will be expected to contribute defensively too to stop each other.
Araújo vs Real Madrid’s centre-backs
Ronald Araújo isn’t expected to start this match, but he could still play a key role off the bench. That’s exactly what he did last weekend in Matchday 9, when he came on against Girona FC and played up front as a makeshift centre-forward, eventually scoring the winning goal for FC Barcelona in stoppage time. With Robert Lewandowski still out injured, there is no clear reference point in the Catalan outfit’s attack. The Araújo option surely wouldn’t be Flick’s first choice, but the Uruguayan is a weapon which could be used towards the final stages of this ELCLASICO should Barça need a goal.
