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El Clasico is arguably the most famous rivalry in club football history. Two of the greatest clubs in the football world will face each other on Sunday at the Camp Nou as Barcelona play host to Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid.
The Catalan giants have already clinched a domestic double this season, winning the La Liga, and Copa del Rey titles last week. On the other hand, a third consecutive UEFA Champions League final awaits Zinedine Zidane's side. Notably, the last time these two sides met in La Liga, Barcelona destroyed Real Madrid 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
On that note, here is a look at 5 reasons why Barcelona will beat Real Madrid in this Sunday's El Clasico as well:
#5 Real Madrid’s inconsistent domestic form this season
Real Madrid have struggled in La Liga this season. They are currently third in the standings, 15 points behind the league leaders and Catalan giants, Barcelona. Out of the 34 games they have played in the league this season, the Galacticos have won only 21. Out of the remaining games, they've lost five and drawn eight games.
In La Liga, they lost at home to teams like Real Betis and Villarreal, and on their travels, to Espanyol and Girona. They were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey by a low-ranked Leganes side in the quarterfinals.
Though they have played some excellent games this season, they have struggled a lot for consistency, especially in domestic games. They only have 71 points in La Liga so far, which is a lot less than where they were at this stage last season.
#4 Iniesta, Coutinho, and Dembele could exploit Real’s weakness on the flanks
The Galacticos are looking hugely susceptible on the flanks. With Dani Carvajal out injured, Real Madrid will be lacking a quality full-back on Sunday against Barcelona. Lucas Vázquez played as a right-back against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, but he struggled against the likes of Franck Ribery and David Alaba.
Though Marcelo is one of the best left-backs in the world, he has certain weaknesses. The Brazilian has often been caught high up the pitch this season and has left spaces open at the back on the left side.
Meanwhile, Ernesto Valverde has used Andres Iniesta, Philippe Coutinho, and Ousmane Dembele on the flanks this season. Given this is Iniesta's last El Clasico, he could most likely go with Iniesta and Coutinho on Sunday, and both these players are more than capable of exploiting Real Madrid's weakness on the flanks.
#3 Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League hangover
The Galacticos are in the finals of the UEFA Champions League for the third time in a row, searching for their 13th European title. They beat German champions Bayern Munich in a closely fought semifinal and will play Liverpool in the final on the 26th of May.
No team in the history of the competition has won it twice in a row in the last 27 years, let alone accomplishing the feat thrice. Real Madrid could still make it happen and create history if they beat Liverpool in the final.
Other than the Spanish Super Cup, the UEFA Champions League is Real Madrid’s only chance of winning a silverware this season, and expectedly, Los Blancos gave it their all to beat Bayern.
Subsequently, Madrid's fatigue levels are bound to be tested on Sunday as Zidane's men will not have too long to recuperate after the gruelling Champions League semifinal. On the other hand, Ernesto Valverde will love to make amends for the disappointing Champions League exit and will have a relatively fresher side taking the field.
#2 Valverde will be desperate to keep their unbeaten season intact
Though the Catalan giants are knocked out of their UEFA Champions League this season, they are creating records in La Liga. They surpassed Real Sociedad’s 38-game unbeaten league run and are currently unbeaten in their last 41 league games, which is a record in La Liga.
However, potentially winning the league unbeaten will serve as the icing on the cake that is their domestic success. They have never gone undefeated in La Liga despite coming very close during the 2009/10 season.
Only 3 clubs (Arsenal, AC Milan, and Juventus) in Europe’s top flight league have achieved this feat in the last 85 years. In La Liga, Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid have done it in 1929/30 and 1931/32 respectively. At that time, however, there were only 10 teams in the league.
Valverde's Barcelona could certainly create history if they can go unbeaten in their last 4 league games, but to do so, they will have to go through Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid side, which could further spur on the Blaugrana to edge past Los Blancos.
#1 Real Madrid’s vulnerable defence
Though Real Madrid are threatening going forward, their defence is looking increasingly vulnerable this season. Their defence is definitely not the same as it was in the previous two seasons.
They have conceded 37 goals in La Liga this season and 15 in the UEFA Champions League. They have been exposed at the back too many times this season, with teams seemingly succeeding in breaching Real Madrid’s defence far too easily.
In fact, teams like Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, Girona, and Real Betis have exposed it this season. Bayern Munich also exposed them on multiple occasions in the Champions League semifinals. Notably, they have conceded 3 or more goals on 5 occasions this season.
With Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Philippe Coutinho in good form, expect Barcelona's front line to destroy the Real Madrid's struggling defence, should it prove to be as frail as it has been all season.
