The final El Clasico of the season between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Sunday could be pivotal for the La Liga title race. The lead-up to the match is marked by recent setbacks for both clubs: Barcelona was eliminated from the Champions League by Inter Milan, ending their treble hopes, while news of Xabi Alonso`s planned departure from Bayer Leverkusen at the season`s end raises questions about Real Madrid`s managerial future.
This Clasico represents a crucial moment for both sides seeking to salvage their campaigns. A victory would keep Barcelona`s hopes for a domestic double alive after their European disappointment. Conversely, Real Madrid is desperate to avoid finishing a season without major silverware for the first time since 2020-21, when they narrowly missed out on La Liga to Atletico Madrid.
Despite expectations that new signing Kylian Mbappe would propel Real Madrid to glory, the season hasn`t unfolded as planned. With manager Carlo Ancelotti reportedly set to take over the Brazil national team and Real Madrid trailing Barcelona by four points in the league, this match might be the team`s final significant opportunity to demonstrate their potential under his leadership.
This campaign has seen Real Madrid struggle to find consistency, dealing with injuries and rotation, which hasn`t fully clicked yet. They`ve particularly struggled against Barcelona, losing the last four encounters. While this is an ideal time to reverse that trend, the defense is stretched thin following Antonio Rudiger`s season-ending suspension. Success may depend on Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior exploiting Barcelona`s high defensive line, but replicating Inter Milan`s seven-goal performance against Barca over two legs appears unlikely for this current Real Madrid squad.
If Hansi Flick struggles to refocus his young Barcelona squad after their Champions League exit, the match could become challenging. However, even a loss wouldn`t be catastrophic for Barcelona`s La Liga ambitions; winning their final three league games would still secure the title and a domestic double. With standout players like Raphinha and the emerging talent of Lamine Yamal, Barcelona seems to be heading in a positive direction, but navigating these mental tests is vital for their development.
Flick has largely pushed the right buttons for Barcelona this season, but managing young players` reactions to defeats is key to understanding the team`s true character. Like Real Madrid, Barcelona has faced injuries and needed depth players to step up, which they have successfully done to earn crucial points. With Robert Lewandowski not fully fit, Flick`s side will need another resilient performance. The stakes are high: securing the La Liga title and preventing Carlo Ancelotti from having a successful farewell season.
Match Details and Odds
- Date: Sunday, May 11 | Time: 10:15 a.m. ET
- Location: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys — Barcelona, Spain
- TV: ESPN | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
- Odds: Barcelona +100; Draw +300; Real Madrid +220
Adrian Whitmore