forbes.com
The biggest fixture in club football arrives on Sunday, as FC Barcelona host Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou. Hansi Flick’s Barcelona enter into this clash in blistering form, boasting a flawless record of 9 wins from 9 matches in LaLiga. Real Madrid, currently sitting in 3rd place with 21 points under Jose Mourinho, will look to narrow the 6-point gap at the top of the table. Hansi Flick will be missing Dani Olmo, Jules Kounde, and Roony Bardghji due to injury. However, Barcelona boast immense depth with Pedri, Rodri, Fermin Lopez, and Lamine Yamal ready to direct the attack. The major blow for Jose Mourinho’s side is the absence of Vinicius Junior, who is serving a multi-match suspension. Defender Raul Asencio also misses out, putting heavier responsibility on Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham to lead the frontline. Barcelona will look to dominate possession and push high up the pitch at Camp Nou. The dangerous trade-off is the space left behind their defensive line. Real Madrid will rely on quick transitions through Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham to release Kylian Mbappe into open space. One of the key individual duels on the pitch will be Lamine Yamal vs. Marc Cucurella. Pedri and Rodri give Barcelona structural control in build-up play. If Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde can break up Barcelona’s rhythm early, Real Madrid can disrupt the hosts' tempo and exploit counter-attacks.
