Barcelona vs Real Madrid summary: El Clásico score, goals, highlights | LaLiga EA Sports 2023-24
El Clásico: Barcelona vs Real Madrid as it happened
Full time: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid just never cease to amaze us. Were they brilliant? No. Did they deserve to win? Not especially, no. Do they almost ALWAYS find a way to do it as soon as they get the tiniest bit of momentum? Pretty much.
Jude Bellingham will hog the headlines once again after scoring twice as his team came from behind to win at Montjuïc. Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be bitterly disappointed not to have kept out the Englishman’s well-struck long-range strike, while Bellingham once again found himself in the right spot at the right time to snatch all three points right at the death.
There wasn’t a great deal to choose between the teams throughout, although Xavi will feel his team were the more proactive going forward and created the better opportunities.
After Ilkay Gündogan’s opener, Fermín López hit the post and then blazed over from a good position. In the second period, Iñigo Martínez also hit the woodwork, with Kepa making a brilliant save from Ronald Araújo’s follow-up.
A series of other efforts from outside the box missed the target and, as we’ve seen over the years, if you don’t take your chances against Real Madrid, they’ll punish you every single time.
A first defeat of the season for Barcelona, who fall four points behind their rivals at the top of LaLiga.
What next for Barcelona and Real Madrid?
Barcelona have got a full week to stew over the defeat, with their next game a tricky-looking fixture away to Real Sociedad, who are also in the Champions League this season.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, host Rayo Vallecano a week tomorrow and will fancy their chances of continuing their perfect home start to the season.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti: "Luka Modric changed the game"
“We’re all surprised by the amount of goals Jude has scored. He’s incredible, extraordinary. He seems like a veteran. He has a very good attitude. The equaliser changed the entire dynamic. More strength, more energy on our part and more weakness on the part of Barça, who until that moment had played better."
"Luka Modrić changed the game, absolutely. He kept the ball, controlled everything. He changed it all”.
"The key to the game was the difference in attitude from the first to the second half. In the first, we were slow, lazy, and not very aggressive. In the second, just the exact opposite. Sometimes it happens that you don't play the way you want. We weren't at our level. Sometimes, it can happen. It was a first half to forget. Fortunately, the second half was different, and we were able to win."
"We didn't want a draw. We wanted to win. This was a very difficult game, and Barcelona were better until we started being more aggressive."
"I don't normally like to assess opposition players, but Bellingham changed the game with his two goals."
"Real Madrid don't need much to score. Everything was in our favour but couldn't hold onto it."
Jude Bellingham Clásico stats 28 Oct 2023
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham the Clásico king
Fancy a bit more Bellingham? Of course you do. Well, here you are, courtesy of our friends at SofaScore.
That "Goals" stat is obviously key, especially given how many he was "expected" to score. Maybe Carlo Ancelotti will have him working on his "Duels" in training on Monday, though.
Barcelona midfielder Gavi: "We deserved to win from start to finish"
"We deserved to win the game from start to finish. It's a shame about those two moments when they scored their two goals. The league season is very long, and we must keep going. It's all about fine margins. Their first goal made the difference in the game. We can't afford to be so unfocused in those situations."
Barcelona coach Xavi: "Madrid can do that to you"
Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has been speaking to Spanish broadcaster DAZN.
"I think we deserved to win, although maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. Ultimately, when you don't score to make it 2-0, Madrid are can do that to you."
"We need five or six chances to score, Madrid only need two. That's not good enough."
"We kept them at bay well, they hardly created anything. But that's how soccer goes."
"Even though we lost, we didn't lose because of the referee."
Real Madrid: October Clásico kings
I'm going back to Spanish stats guru MisterChip for this one. Real Madrid have won El Clásico for the fourth October in a row.
Don't worry, Barça fans, you lost last year and still won the league. There's a long way to go.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: what the stats tell us
Not everyone as a fan of xG (expected goals), although I think it generally gives us an idea of who created the better chance to score in 90 minutes.
This feels just about right, with Barça's efforts slightly the more threatening. But that stat is absolutely meaningless, all that matters is the one right at the top.
Real Madrid and Jude Bellingham make Clásico history
For the first time in history, Real Madrid have won El Clásico in Barcelona in injury time (in potentially the only Montjuïc Clásico).
Real Madrid join Girona at the top of the table
Yes, Girona. The Catalans are joint-top of the LaLiga standings, it's just not the Catalans we expected...
Barça now find themselves four points adrift, which isn't fatal, but isn't great.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 24 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| 4 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Bellingham's dream Real Madrid start continues
Who are you, Jude Bellingham?
We all thought he had been brought in as a midfielder to dictate play. He's turned into a ruthless goalscoring machine.
Full time: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
Bellingham does it for Real Madrid...AGAIN!
Another double as Real Madrid come from behind to win!
...to no avail.
Ter Stegen is in the box...
LAST CHANCE FOR BARÇA!
Corner for Barcelona!
Vázquez on for Vinícius. We're going to have an extra couple of minutes.
Araújo has gone up front.
What do Barcelona have left in the tank? That's a proper kick in the teeth.
That's surely going to be the winner for Real Madrid!
There's plenty of luck involved as Carvajal's cross bounces up off Modric and right into the path of Bellingham who can't miss! Right place, right time. AGAIN!
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Four minutes of injury time.
If there's a goal now, it'll surely be a winner...
Christensen denies Vinícius!
Oriol Romeu, what are you doing...?
The sub almost lays the ball on a plate for Vini, who'se thwarted by a timely slide tackle from Christensen!
Huge interception from Martínez!
Massive from the Barça defender! Vini picks out Joselu, who takes a touch and looks ready to shoot, but has his pocket picked by Martínez at the crucial moment.
I can't believe I said a couple of minutes ago they were maybe settling for a draw...
Perhaps recharging batteries quickly.
It was offside, but what a goal that would've been! Yamal fires a cross to the back post for Raphinha, whose acrobatic strike is saved by Kepa!
Christensen stops Vinícius in his tracks!
Vinícius speeds away down the left and looks as if he's about to break into the box only to be stopped by a fine challenge from Christensen.
Don't think so! Lewandowski bizarrely refuses the chance to shoot and instead tries to tee up Raphinha but his pass is deflected away by Camavinga.
A bit of a lull in play out of nowhere as we go into the final 10 minutes. Are both teams settling for a draw?
Lewandowski again...over again!
He had one with his right foot seconds ago, this time is was the left. Just too high again from the Pole.
VAR has reviewed the Camavinga penalty shout and ruled Araújo didn't commit a foul.
Lewandowski shoots just over!
Barça race up the other end and Lewandowski shoots just over from the edge of the box!
Penalty shout for Real Madrid!
Camavinga goes down under pressure in the box, nothing given, yet...!
Lewandowski is close to getting Yamal in behind...but the ball is cut out by Rüdiger!
Lamine Yamal takes Clásico record!
Yamal and Raphinha are on for Félix and Cancelo.
The teenager is the youngest player to ever play in El Clásico.
Los Blancos have a chance from a free-kick but Valverde's shot hits the wall.
Real Madrid haven't really played well (or badly) but are back in the game and have the momentum. Usually, that only ends one way...
Cancelo almost gets in down the right once again but another pass is slightly overhit and goes through to Kepa.
I'm going to say it...a goalkeeper of ter Stegen's quality should definitely have saved Bellingham's shot. I'm no goalkeeping expert but it looks to me as if he went for it with the wrong hand.
Romeu replaces Fermón
How can Barcelona respond? Well, they've taken Fermín off for Romeu for starters.
Jude Bellingham's first goal in first Clásico
That's nine goals in 10 LaLiga games and 12 in 13 in all competitions!
It's Bellingham this time from range and it fizzes into the net! It's a brilliant strike, although ter Stegen will be disappointed with that, I think...
Is there anything this guy can't do?!
That was travelling from Tchouaméni...
Ter Stegen's first save!
Nothing intricate about that one as Tchouaméni smashes one from 30 yards, which ter Stegen has to push wide!
Rüdiger gets away with one there as the ball skips up and bounces off his hand and he controls it as the last man. The referee says there was nothing he could do, and nothing is given.
The Portuguese again gets away from the Frenchman and his deflected shot from inside the box deflects up and just wide of Kepa's goal.
Cancelo is giving Camavinga a torrid time!
Modric on for Real Madrid
More changes as another veteran, Luka Modric, comes on, as does Joselu.
Kroos and Rodrygo replaced.
Lewandowski returns!
He's baaaaack! Torres is the man replaced for the TikTok-dancing-goalscoring superstar.
Carvajal booked
Carvajal pulls back Félix in midfield and gets his name taken.
Lovely stuff again from Cancelo! He bamboozles Camavinga once more and races away down the right. His cross is cut out by Kepa, though, before it reaches two teammates in the middle.
Almost spoke to soon! Cancelo skips inside Camavinga and looks set to make it 2-0, but blazes over the bar!
It was eventually called offside, though.
Barça aren't seeing much of the ball at the minute.
A Toni Kroos special there, as the German runs on to a layoff and tries to find the bottom corner from range. Too close to ter Stegen, though.
Madrid looking a bit more threatening as Vini has a chance to get in behind now. The pass from Rodrygo is overhit, though, and runs through to ter Stegen.
Gavi takes HUGE penalty risk on Bellingham
Bellingham runs in behind the Barça defence but is tracked by Gavi, who lunges in from behind/the side in the box and just does enough to get the ball. A millisecond out and that was a penalty.
Wooooaaah, Gavi....
Camavinga replaces injured Mendy
Mendy can't continue. Camavinga gets on at left-back after all.
Martínez's downward header comes off the post and Araújo's follow-up is brilliantly saved by Kepa!
So close to 2-0!
Martínez and Araújo both go close!
A corner for Barça as Mendy stops Cancelo's cross from the right....
Rodrygo crosses, ter Stegen catches. Easy for the big German, who's sporting a fine head of hair these days.
Madrid seeing a lot of the ball at the start of this second half.
Lewandowski warming up for Barcelona
They've not needing their star striker so far, but could he be about to make an appearance?
Rodrygo fires just over!
That's the best chance Madrid have had!
Valverde lofts the ball over the top for Rodrygo, whose shot from the angle clears the bar by a yard.
Gavi just loves a tackle, doesn't he? I'm not sure Vini "loves" being fouled, but he receives a lot of them.
Modric warming up for Real Madrid
Camavinga and Joselu too.
Away we go for the second half!
Real Madrid get the second half going!
Teams back out for the second half!
Strap yourselves back in!
Are The Rolling Stones Barça fans?
Are they celebrating Gündogan's goal or is this before the game?
I suppose Real Madrid fans do honour The Beatles by signing "Hey Jude", so maybe Barça can get Mick and Ronnie.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: 1st half in stats
This is how our friends at SofaScore have summarised the first half.
Interestingly, more touches inside the opposition box for Madrid, who have barely threatened the Barcelona goal (which xG and shots on target reflect).
Half time: Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid
An entertaining first half in Montjuïc, with Ilkay Gündogan’s early goal the difference.
There hasn’t been a huge amount to separate the two teams, although the majority of the most threatening moments have come from the hosts.
Good fortune and defensive hesitation allowed Gündogan to stroll through to open the scoring after just six minutes, and Barça have look the more likely to find a second, without creating a huge amount of chances.
Fermín struck the post after an error from Kroos, who redeemed himself with a crucial interception to stop Balde from getting a shot away in the box. Fermín also blazed over from range when he perhaps should’ve done better, and Carvajal’s last-ditch tackle prevented Félix from racing away.
Madrid have seen their fair share of the ball but have created preciously little. Marc-André ter Stegen has had little to do, with Rüdiger’s long-range effort, which flew wide, the only time he looked momentarily worried.
Tempers began to flare towards the end of the half, with Xavi and Vinícius going head to head, which could be something to keen an eye on in the second half.
Barcelona to jump above Real Madrid, as it stands
This was the LaLiga table at the start of play. If things stay the same way, it'll be a Catalan 1-2 at the top.
Who had Girona leading after nine games?!
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 24 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Half time: Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid
That's all for now, folks! Gündogan's goal has Barcelona in front!
Torres' NFL tackle
What on earth is going on?! Vini skips away from Torres on the touchline and the Barça man launches himself NFL-style to stop the Brazilian. The yellowest yellow card you've ever seen.
What a cross from Araújo! It looks as if it's landing on Torres' head until Rüdiger flicks it away at the last second!
Things are heating up a bit...too bad half-time is fast approaching.
Carvajal and Torres fly into a tackle in midfield, which could have ended with both on the deck. As it is, they're both OK.
Kroos winds one up on his left foot from 20 yards out but a deflection takes the sting out of it before it really gets anywhere.
We've seen very little of Bellingham so far but he puts in a strong challenge in on Gavi in midfield. Thankfully for him, he won the ball.
Vinícius finds himself in a promising position out on the left but his attempted ball into the box is cut out by Christensen.
Should Carvajal have smashed that across goal instead? I would say so, although that was maybe what he was trying to do.
Carvajal hits the side-netting
A superb pass from Kroos picks out Carvajal, who takes a touch in the box and tries to shoot from a ridiculous angle, only to hit the side-netting.
Fermín shoots over!
That was a decent opening for the hosts! Fermín scored against Madrid in pre-season and should probably do better there, lashing over from the edge of the box.
Lluis Companys' Camp Nou impression
It might not be Camp Nou, but it doesn't look bad, does it?
Gündogan and Félix gets their wires completely crossed there as the German tries to feed the ball through for his teammate. A wasted chance, as he was all alone on the edge of the box.
Kroos' crucial interception!
Barça are in the mood and Kroos gets a vital boot in inside his own box as Balde cuts in from the left.
Vinícius still in the thick of things, surprise surprise. He stops playing after a challenge from Araújo, thinking he'll get a foul, which doesn't come. He then catches Gavi late seconds later.
I've just seen a replay of Félix's nutmeg on Rüdiger. "Sublime" wasn't strong enough!
Xavi and Vinícius go head to head
What's going on here?!
Xavi doesn't appear to be happy with Vini for going down too easily, in his view. The two exchange words by the touchline and the Barça coach grabs the winger "playfully" by the face...
Controversy as Félix goes down!
A sublime piece of skill from Félix sees his race away from Rüdiger towards the Madrid goal but Carvajal races back to tackle him. The Madrid defender just got a touch on the ball, although Barça wanted a foul.
A decent spell of possession for Madrid, much to the displeasure of the home fans.
Barça have pressed well so far but they got it horribly wrong there, leaving Valverde with acres of space to run into it. If he'd been a bit faster, or the movement ahead of him had been a bit better, Madrid could've been in there.
Ilkay Gündogan: the man for the big occasion
The German loves a derby, it seems. His first Barcelona goal and what a game to get it in.
Rüdiger shoots just wide!
Rüdiger is all of 35 yards out but decides to have a go. Ter Stegen is worried enough to dive, but the ball flies wide.
Alaba makes crucial interception!
Rather than Madrid build something, Barcelona spring a counter-attack and Félix's through-ball to Torres is only just cut out by Alaba. Crucial.
Araújo touch-tight to Vini so far but he was too tight that time. A free-kick and a chance for Madrid to build something.
Barça intent, as ever, on playing their way out from the back. Félix looks as if he might be in trouble but Carvajal is judged to have fouled him high up the field.
Barcelona are doing a really good job at forcing Real Madrid back so far. Not many passing options for the men in white so far.
Fermin sees the first yellow card
Well, that didn't take long. Fermín goes in late on Kroos and goes in the book.
That was superb pressing from Gavi to dispossess Kroos, who wanted a foul (which it wasn't).
Fermín hits the post!
Almost 2-0! Kroos gives the ball away in a position where you just can't give the ball away. Fermín's low shot comes back off the outside of the woodwork!
Gündogan tunes Barcelona up early on
A stunning start for the hosts. It's not over until the fat lady sings, though.
A promising Barça attack breaks down as Torres' pass infield is behind Félix, who gives Balde too much to do as he tries to venture into the box on the left.
Vinícius shot blocked!
A nice piece of play from the visitors, and Rodrygo in particular, ends with a shooting chance for Vini, whose lower effort is blocked.
I mentioned it pre-match but Barcelona and Real Madrid have now both scored 300 goals in LaLiga Clásicos.
Madrid look for an immediate response as Vinícius breaks away down the left but his cross is easily claimed by ter Stegen.
Gündogan tries to play a one-two with Félix, which doesn't come off. Tchouaméni gets a foot to it and it spins off towards the Madrid goal, neither Alaba nor Kepa really commit to going for it and the German runs through to slot low into the net.
Start Me Up indeed!
A slow start from Bellingham
Huge cheers from the home fans as Gavi picks Bellingham's pocket in midfield. Two out of two against the Englishman so far.
Oooooh, Christensen gave the ball away inside his own half and Bellingham raced towards and into the box, which looked as if it might spell danger for Barça. However, the Dane did brilliantly to back ahead of the Englishman and win a foul.
And that means Cancelo is playing in an unusually high right-wing role. One to keep an eye on.
As we expected, Araújo is playing right-back, directly up against Vinícius, as he has done fairly successfully before.
Huge whistles from the home fans as Vinícius fails to keep the ball in play down the Madrid left.
El Clásico underway!
Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls. We're off!
If you're watching at home, you won't have had to wait too long to spot Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones as "Start Me Up" blared out over the PA system.
Barcelona hoping to leapfrog Real Madrid
This is what's at stake. A Real Madrid win will see them re-join surprise leaders Girona at the top.
A Barcelona victory will move them ahead of their bitter rivals.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 24 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Real Madrid team to play Barcelona: Camavinga drops out
Mendy over Camavinga is the main piece of news for Real Madrid, who line up as you might expect.
Kepa; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Kroos; Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinícius.
- goalkeeper
- 25Arrizabalaga
- defenders
- 2Dani Carvajal
- 22Rüdiger
- 23Ferland Mendy
- 4Alaba
- midfielders
- 18Aurelien Tchouameni
- 15Federico Valverde
- 5Jude Bellingham
- 8Kroos
- forwards
- 7Vinicius Junior
- 11Rodrygo
- substitutes
- CoachCarlo Ancelottis
- 6Nacho
- 17Lucas Vázquez
- 21Brahim Diaz
- 13Andriy Lunin
- 20Fran Garcia
- 10Modric
- 12Camavinga
- 14Joselu
- 26Diego Piñeiro
Barcelona team to play Real Madrid: no Lewandowski
Right, almost time to get down to business!
Here are the 11 Barça boys who'll have sticky-out tongue on their front today:
Ter Stegen; Araújo, Christensen, Martínez, Balde; Fermín, Gündogan, Gavi; Cancelo, Torres, Félix.
I've made a little amendment to what I said earlier, as I have it on good authority that Cancelo will be playing on the right of a front three, with Gavi in midfield.
- goalkeeper
- 1Ter Stegen
- defenders
- 5Íñigo Martínez
- 15A. Christensen
- 4Ronald Araújo
- 3Alex Balde
- midfielders
- 32Fermín López
- 22Gündogan
- 6Gavi
- forwards
- 2Cancelo
- 7Ferrán Torres
- 14João Félix
- substitutes
- CoachXavier Hernández Creuss
- 17Marcos Alonso
- 27Lamine Yamal
- 33Pau Cubarsí
- 13Iñaki Peña
- 11Raphinha
- 23Koundé
- 30Marc Casado
- 9Lewandowski
- 38Marc Guiu
- 39Hector Fort
- 18Oriol Romeu
- 26Ander Astralaga
Just a little reminder if you're still scrambling around trying to a find a way to watch the game last minute. If you're in the United States, this is how to do it!
You can watch a Barcelona vs Real Madrid live stream on fuboTV, which offers a free trial
Marc André ter-Stegen captains Barça in El Clásico
The Wall was Pink Floyd rather than The Rolling Stones, was it not?
Either way, Barça captain Marc-André ter Stegen is out, he's almost ready and could well be a key player for Barça one again.
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And, while we're at it, what about VAR (the Video Assistant Referee), universally loved by soccer fans far and wide? The way it's used can vary slightly from one league to the next, so how is it employed in LaLiga?
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Perhaps slightly less glamorous chat now as we take a look at the man in the middle for today's game, as well as those who'll be helping him out.
Of course, I refuse to believe there could be any refereeing controversy in a game involving Barcelona and Real Madrid, and that either club would ever complain about decisions going against them, but stranger things have happened...
Barcelona coach Xavi's record in El Clásico
Similarly, Barcelona have never drawn a Clásico with Xavi in charge, although the 2021-22 Super Cup semi-final in Riyadh did go to extra time. The former club captain has won four and lost three of seven matches against Real Madrid, winning 4-0 at the Bernabéu in his first Clásico in the dugout before losing 4-0 at Camp Nou in the most recent ones.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti's record in El Clásico
We’ve established that there’s generally not very much to separate Real Madrid and Barcelona, which is reflected in Carlo Ancelotti’s record as manager in the fixture. The Italian will take charge of his 14th Clásico today, with the previous 13 producing six wins and seven defeats.
Perhaps the only surprising thing is he has never been involved in a draw in the fixture.
Real Madrid warming up
We're a little over 30 minutes away from kick-off, and the teams are out warming up!
Excited yet?
Barcelona looking for Satisfaction in El Clásico
I tried to stop myself, honestly...
What's going on here, then? In case you're wondering, it won't be a coincidence when you spot the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood in the stands at Montjuïc and the band's iconic sticky-out tongue logo on Barcelona's jerseys.
Normally, Barça (and Camp Nou) are sponsored by Spotify, but not today. Here's Calum to explain.
Let us know via X (English_AS) which Stones song gets stuck in your head once you've read this.
Who has won more trophies: Barcelona or Real Madrid?
A couple of years ago, we were wondering if Barcelona might be set for a Manchester United-esque slump, with serious financial issues leading to Lionel Messi’s departure and plenty of on-field issues (remember those two Champions League group stage failures).
Hats off to Xavi, though, who’s managed to turn the ship around fairly quickly, despite criticism that the team are not as good to watch as they have been in the past (which was always going to be a big ask).
In his first full season in charge, the former Barça midfielder secured La Blaugrana’s 27th league title, their 17th since 1990, which is when the tide in the rivalry started to turn a little.
At the end of the 1989-90 season, Real Madrid had won 15 more league titles than Barcelona (25 to 10). Los Merengues have obviously hit the headlines for their Champions League exploits in recent years, but the LaLiga gap is now down to just eight (35 to 27).
Here's more on what the Clásico rivals have won, and how often.
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Jude Bellingham's first visit to Barcelona and Montjuïc
Ever wondered what it's like to step out onto the field at an elite-level soccer stadium? This is probably the closest most of us are going to get, unfortunately.
Jude Bellingham told Real Madrid TV about his pre-match ritual earlier in the season: "I like to walk around the pitch, see what my position is going to be on the pitch. It’s something I’ve been doing for my entire career and it helps me not to get nervous".
Real Madrid in town for El Clásico
Who is Real Madrid's Jules Koundé? Based on this, we'll never know, as Los Blancos rock up in grey club tracksuits.
Barcelona arrive at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
I just wouldn't be doing my job properly if I didn't show you the two teams arriving at the stadium.
Jules Koundé looking as stylish as ever and I have literally no clue who is between Gavi and Lewandowski. A hell of a disguise.
Barcelona and Real Madrid's first ever Clásico at Monjuïc
Remember how I said earlier than today’s Clásico was a weird one? Well, this is why. For the first time in history, the fixture will be played at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Monjuïc.
Not that Real Madrid have never played there before. Back in the days when Espanyol were long-term tenants (1997-2009), Los Blancos visited on 13 occasions, winning six times, losing five and drawing twice.
In the 1930s and 1940s, I'm sure you'll remember, they also played four Copa del Rey finals here, winning twice and losing twice.
Barça vs Real Madrid: head-to-head record in Barcelona
What is it about playing away from home that makes soccer so much more difficult? It’s still 11 versus 11, the pitch is the same size and you’ve still got to get the little round thing in between the three white posts. You could write a book trying to answer than question.
This probably won’t come as a huge surprise to anyone who’s followed soccer for any reasonable amount of time, but the home team have vastly superior records in El Clásico, no matter which way round you take it.
The teams have played 121 times in Barcelona, with La Blaugrana winning almost half of them (64). Madrid have gone home happy on 30 occasions, with 27 draws.
93 of those meetings have come in LaLiga, with similar results: 51 home wins, 22 away wins and 20 draws.
Where will Cancelo play for Barça?
My main takeaway from that line-up is "where on earth is João Cancelo going to play"?
Central defenders Andreas Christensen, Ronaldo Araújo and Iñigo Martínez are all in, but Barça rarely use three centre-backs, which has me thinking Araújo could start at right-back to mark Vinícius, as he has done before. Could that see Cancelo move forward into midfield?
Barcelona team to play Real Madrid: no Lewandowski
Returning trio Lewanwoski, Koundé and Raphinha all start on the bench!
Ter Stegen; Araújo, Christensen, Martínez, Balde; Fermín, Cancelo, Gündogan, Gavi, Torres, Félix.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: head-to-head LaLiga record
Spain’s big two have, of course, met in all sorts of competitions, from the Copa del Rey to the Champions League to the Mickey Mouse Pre-season Cup (that isn’t included in any of these stats).
As far as LaLiga goes, it’s a similar tale to the overall story. 77 wins for Real Madrid, 74 for Barcelona and 35 draws.
Quite incredibly, if the Catalans find the net first today, both teams will have scored exactly the same amount in LaLiga Clásicos: 299. Who’ll be first to 300?
Real Madrid dressing room all set for El Clásico
As this clip whizzed past Nacho's number 6 jersey, it reminded me of all the fuss about him having his suspension cut so he could play in today's game. The Real Madrid club captain is only named on the bench by Carlo Ancelotti in the end.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: overall head-to-head record
This is a cracker of a photo.
If you had to bet on which team had won more Clásicos since the first one was played in 1902 (Real Madrid were known as Madrid FC back then), which side would you fall on?
Today’s game is the 255th competitive meeting between the clubs and I can tell you there really hasn’t been much in it over the years.
Personally, if I hadn’t already looked it up, I would’ve sided with Madrid (honestly) and I would’ve been just about right. Los Blancos have recorded 103 victories to Barça’s 100, with the other 51 matches ending all square.
The trio's return (see the post below) means Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Sergi Roberto are the only three players not available for El Clásico. With that in mind, we had a go at picking a Barça line-up to face Real Madrid.
Let's see how we do.
Lewandowski, Koundé and Raphinha fit for Barcelona
Just in case you missed it way back when, Robert Lewandowski, Jules Koundé and Raphinha have all recovered from injury in time to return to Barcelona's roster for today's game.
Will they be thrown straight back into the starting line-up? We'll find out soon enough!
Ferland Mendy preferred to Eduardo Camavinga as Real Madrid left-back
Ferland Mendy has been preferred to Eduardo Camavinga at left-back, which has caught me by surprise a little. I know Camavinga isn't actually a left-back but I thought Ancelotti would've wanted him in his team, especially after giving him plenty of praise for his performances out of position this season.
Real Madrid team to play Barcelona: Mendy preferred to Camavinga
What did I tell you?
Kepa; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Kroos; Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinícius.
I'm expected the Real Madrid starting line-up for the game to be announced any moment now, but Manu and Will have had a go at getting inside the head of Carlo Ancelotti, which I'm sure is a fascinating place.
Let's see how they do. The main doubt seems to be between Camavinga and Mendy at left-back.
Real Madrid setting the scene at Lluis Companys
It clearly never rains in Barcelona (it does, I can confirm).
A beautiful day for a Clásico today, though!
Real Madrid: points dropped in toughest away fixtures
League table look familiar? Well, you'd expect these two to be near the top by this time in the season, wouldn't you?
Have Real Madrid blown us away with their scintillating soccer this season, wiping the floor with everyone that’s come up against them? On the whole, no, but then Los Blancos are the masters of consistently winning even when not playing all that great.
Don’t get me wrong, they have had some convincing performances, namely the LaLiga games away to Girona (3-0) and at home to Osasuna (4-0). But they’ve also had a series of narrow wins, and Bellingham has got them out of a pickle on more than one occasion.
Like Barça, Madrid have been faultless at home, winning five out of five, with, like Barça, their only slip-ups coming on the road. Ancelotti’s men were soundly beaten by city rivals Atlético Madrid in September before last weekend’s draw in Seville.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 24 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Barcelona: an unbeaten start and perfect home record
As we said earlier, things couldn’t have gone much more smoothly in the Champions League, while Barcelona have taken to their new home in Montjuïc like proverbial ducks to water.
Xavi’s team have won all seven matches (five in LaLiga, two UCL) they’ve played at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, keeping clean sheets in four of them. That includes back-to-back 5-0 thrashings of Real Betis and Antwerp in mid-September, although as the injuries have piled up, things have cooled down a bit in front of goal since then.
Although they are still unbeaten this season, they have dropped all of their points away from home, drawing at Getafe, Real Mallorca and Granada, having to come back from 2-0 down to rescue a point in the last of those games.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 24 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Culés and (some) Vikings set for Montjuïc
Around 55,000 fans are expected at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys for today's game, the vast majority of which will be "Culés". If you speak Spanish, you might think that sound especially endearing, but it's actually the Catalan word for Barcelona supporters.
Considerably fewer "Vikings" (Real Madrid fans) will be in attendance, with travelling to away games not much of a deal for most followers of most clubs in Spain (with a few exceptions).
Real Madrid: last five games
30 September: Girona 0-3 Real Madrid (LaLiga)
3 October: Napoli 2-3 Real Madrid (Champions League)
7 October: Real Madrid 4-0 Osasuna (LaLiga)
21 October: Sevilla 1-1 Real Madrid (LaLiga)
24 October: Braga 1-2 Real Madrid (Champions League)
Barcelona : last five games
29 September: Barcelona 1-0 Sevilla (LaLiga)
4 October: Porto 0-1 Barcelona (Champions League)
8 October: Granada 2-2 Porto (LaLiga)
22 October: Barcelona 1-0 Athletic (LaLiga)
25 October: Barcelona 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (Champions Leaaue)
Sevilla hold Real Madrid in last LaLiga match
Barça were given the opportunity to close the gap by Real Madrid dropping points at Sevillalast Saturday, although things could have been worse for Los Merengues, who trailed with just over 15 minutes remaining until Dani Carvajal equalised.
While Ancelotti will have been happy with the fightback, his team had most of the ball and the chances, even having two goals controversially - especially if you ask Real Madrid TV - disallowed, which will have been a source of frustration.
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Just in case you were reading that last post thinking, "actually, I have no idea who Marc Guiu is" (maybe you've just come back from holiday or something), then don't worry, we've got you covered!
Here's all the important stuff you need to know about Barcelona's latest La Masia star, who is on the roster for today's game.
Marc Guiu the star of Barcelona's last LaLiga game against Athletic
The to-ing and fro-in at the top of LaLiga has already been well underway for several weeks and it was Barcelona who were happiest at the end of last weekend after closing the gap to their bitter rivals to just two points on Sunday.
Yet it looked for a long while against Athletic Club they might be held to a goalless draw. Until, that is, Marc Guiu (which rhymes with Marc Who) came off the bench to score the winner with about 10 minutes let to play. We all know how the teenage striker is now, though, don’t we? Could he have any kind of role to play today given the question marks over Lewandowski’s fitness?
Robert Lewandowski back from injury for Barcelona
Robert Lewandowski was the Robert Lewandowski we all know (and some of us love) long before Jude Bellingham became this Jude Bellingham.
The Pole is so important to Barcelona that they literally don't have another out-and-out striker in their first-team squad, which has proved problematic in recent weeks due to him being injured.
39 goals in 56 matches in all competitions for the Catalans for Lewandowki, but how fit is he?
Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid's newest "Galáctico"
I just mentioned the Englishman in my last post so now seems as good a time as any to discuss just how good Bellingham has been since signing for Real Madrid.
Eight goals in nine LaLiga matches, 11 in 12 in all competitions. That includes four match-winning strikes already. Wasn't he just supposed to be a midfielder? Bellingham loves Real Madrid and Real Madrid love Bellingham right back. A stunning start to his time in Spain.
As I said, he felt a tweak in his groin during Tuesday's win in Braga but will take up his usual place in the team at Montjuïc.
Real Madrid also head into El Clásico after Champions League victory
“Nothing is certain in life except death, taxes and Real Madrid getting out of their Champions League group.”
Los Blancos have literally never failed to make it to the knockout rounds and, like Barça, continued their 100% start to this year’s group stage on Tuesday. After narrow wins Union Berlin and Napoli, Carlo Ancelotti’s men posted another slender victory against Portuguese side Braga, with Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham (who else?) scoring in a 2-1 triumph.
Barcelona defeat Shakhtar Donetsk in El Clásico warm-up
Barcelona come into the game having all but buried their recent Champions League hoodoo. The Catalans men haven’t progressed to the knockout stages of Europe’s elite club competition since 2020-21 but look to have out foot in this year’s round of 16 after recording their third win in three group gamesagainst Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
Xavi’s side pressed and pressed and pressed a bit more against the risk-taking Ukrainians, who at 2-0 down by half time looked down and out but rallied to halve the deficit and make things interesting in the final half-an-hour. Barcelona, however, held on and surely can’t mess qualification up (sorry for jinxing, Barça fans).
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Here's the full story of just why and how Barça board member Mikel Camps laid into Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior, which has seemingly led to Florentino Pérez not making the trip to Catalonia for today's game.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez not expected to attend El Clásico
An interesting sub-plot to today’s on-field action is all the stuff that’s been going on off the field.
Before Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Shakhtar, Barça coach Xavi spoke of his desire to see “mutual respect and even admiration” between his club and Real Madrid, which appears to be missing at the moment.
While there have clearly been a number of flashpoints between the two for as long as we can remember, things in the boardroom had been relatively amicable, with a pre-Clásico lunch between respective boards a regular fixture on the calendar. Things have changed, however, since Barça’s implication in the Negreira match-fixing scandal, which saw Madrid president Florentino Pérez refuse to attend last season’s league match in Barcelona.
It is thought Pérez had been set to return for today’s game at Montjuïc, only to be put off by a social media post from Barça board member Mikel Camps calling Blancos winger Vinícius Júnior “a clown”. Since then, Toni Freixa, a former director with La Blaugrana, has claimed Madrid didn’t allow his club to send a message to their fans in Catalan.
At the moment, "mutual respect and even admiration” seems a way off. Let’s see what happens out on the field.
When will Barcelona be back playing at Camp Nou?
If you're looking for a little more info about the stadium switch, you're bang in luck!
Will and Paul have put together a couple of really handy pieces which explain just what's going on with Camp Nou and Montjuïc.
Where will today’s Clásico be played?
As I mentioned right at the start, this is going to be a slightly weird Clásico. Unique, potentially, at least, shall we say.
As a keen-eyed soccer fan, you’ll probably know by now that Barcelona’s games this season aren’t going to be played at Camp Nou (which is literally a building site as I type this).
Instead, their fixtures for the next little while are being held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys, or Montjuïc, which was built for the 1929 International Exposition before being renovated for the 1992 Olympics and holds just under 55,000 people.
Carlo Ancelotti's pre-Clásico quotes
How is Bellingham?
He will play tomorrow because he is fine and has recovered. I don’t have to explain to him what a Clásico is, everyone knows.
How are your players going into El Clásico?
Motivated, it’s a special game. It’s going to be the first Clásico of the season, but there will be more... the Supercopa, the second leg, Copa del Rey, Champions League. There are so many opportunities for us to meet again. We’re in good shape.
Is tomorrow’s game more than just a match?
It’s very important, but the season is very long. The season is very long, very long. It will be a very competitive league.
What worries you most about Barcelona?
They are a great team in general, both in attack and defence. They have brought in young players with a lot of quality this season. We expect the same Barça as always.
Early Real Madrid team news: Militão, Courtois, Güler, Ceballos miss out
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and centre-back Eder Militão both tore their ACLs right at the start of the season and will be hard pushed to play again until 2024-25.
Midfield duo Arda Güler, who has yet to make his debut, and Dani Ceballos, who has made only a few sub appearances this term, are also not available, although neither would have started anyway.
Early Real Madrid team news: Jude Bellingham passed fit to play
Time to move over to the other side of the divide, where things are a lot less chaotic on the fitness front.
Man-of-the-moment Jude Bellingham set alarm bells ringing in the second half of Tuesday’s Champions League win over Braga when he crumbled to the floor. Thankfully for anyone of a Real Madrid persuasion, Ancelotti was quick to play down fears he could miss El Clásico immediately after the game and reiterated that in Friday’s pre-match press conference.
Xavi's pre-Clásico press conference quotes
How is the team going into a match as decisive as El Clásico?
For us it’s very important, everyone wants to play, and everyone wants to test themselves. We are very excited.
What’s the latest on the injured players?
I was surprised to see players we had almost ruled out back in training. Everyone wants to be involved. The feeling in the camp is very positive.
Could Lewandowski start?
He’s fine. He’s been training, but I won’t give anything away here. I’m not going to give any clues.
And Pedri?
We don’t want to force anyone, we want to minimise risks. We’ll see tomorrow.
Is it too risky to play players who have been out of action for so long?
Those who are fit will play. We won’t be able to field anyone who isn’t. It’s a game where you have to be at 100 per cent. It would be a mistake to do the opposite.
What are you expecting from Madrid?
Madrid have changed their system with the arrival of Bellingham. We have to keep an eye on Rodrygo and Vinícius and minimise their strengths.
Is the Clásico the biggest rivalry in the world?
I don’t know, it’s great. In Argentina, they will say River-Boca and in Seville Betis-Sevilla. But it’s the biggest game at club level, for sure.
Seven academy players on Barcelona's matchday roster
Despite the returns of three first-team regulars, there are no fewer than seven academy players named on Xavi's roster for today's game: Ander Astralaga, Lamine Yamal, Marc Casadó, Fermín López, Pau Curbasí, Marc Guiu and Héctor Fort.
Yamal and Fermín both started in Wednesday's Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk, but could their places now be under threat?
Early Barcelona team news: Raphinha and Koundé also back after injury, Sergi Roberto out
Raphinha has missed four consecutive games with a thigh problem but also comes back into Xavi’s thinking for this one, as does Jules Koundé, who has sat out the last two matches because of a knee issue.
That leaves Sergi Roberto as the only other absentee, in addition to Pedri and de Jong.
Why are Pedri and de Jong not available for Barcelona?
All of Barcelona's injured players being back for one of the biggest game of the season did seem like it would be too much of a coincidence, didn't it? In the end, midfield duo Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are the ones who miss out.
The Spaniard missed several weeks of the second half of last season with a thigh injury and, rather worryingly, he hasn't played since August because of a similar issue. He is, however, on the verge of a return.
The Dutchman, meanwhile, suffered an ankle injury in the home win over Celta Vigo towards the end of September and was always the least likely of the men in the treatment room to be available to face Madrid.
Official: Lewandowski available for Barcelona, Pedri and de Jong won't play
No sooner had I posted that last message, Barcelona revealed their official matchday roster for today's game. Are they reading this?
The good news: Lewandowski, Koundé and Raphinha are back!
The bad news: there's no Pedri or de Jong.
Early Barcelona team news: Lewandowski, Pedri, Koundé and de Jong doubts
Barcelona’s fitness issues have been well-documented in recent weeks, with a whole host of first-team regulars absent for the last few games. At one point or another, all of them were rumoured to be missing today’s match, but Xavi hit us with the incredible news in his pre-match press conference yesterday that he was “surprised to see players we had almost ruled out back in training”.
The players in question are Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Jules Koundé and Frenkie de Jong, although he wasn’t giving anything away regarding whether they would ultimately play or not.
Oh Xavi, you tease.
Before we get down to serious business, you may be looking for a way to watch today’s game. Well, if you’re in the United States then there is a way and this is it!
Fidel has kindly put this handy little guide together for you, dear reader.
You can also watch a Barcelona vs Real Madrid live stream on fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
El Clásico for free? You can't say no to that, can you?
Pre-Clásico social media poster: who did it better?
It's not the biggest battle we'll see today, admittedly. And, in any case, Barcelona and Real Madrid have gone for pretty much identical posts ahead of the game. With one major difference.
Los Blancos have been kind enough to include opposition players Gavi, Ronald Araújo and João Félix in theirs, while Barça have very much taken a "me, me, me" approach. Controversial.
Did someone say El Clásico?
Yes, I believe so!
Is this the biggest fixture in club soccer? Well, your view might well depend on where you come from and which team you support. As far as overall global appeal, though, this one takes some beating.
What time does Barcelona vs Real Madrid kick-off?
The clash at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjüic gets underway at 4:15 p.m. local time, which makes it 10:15 a.m. ET and 7:15 a.m. PT. Does an "El Clásico breakfast” give a new meaning to “breakfast of champions”, west coasters?
Still a few hours to go until kick-off, in which time I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news, a few trips down memory lane and plenty more. Let's do this!
How the LaLiga table looks
In case you haven’t been keeping up, it’s the Catalans who are top dogs at the moment. Just not those Catalans.
Girona might have lost 3-0 to Real Madrid not so long ago but they’ve only dropped two other points, moving three clear at the top of the table after Friday’s last-gasp home win over Celta Vigo.
What a fairytale story that would be if it weren’t for megabucks Manchester City’s involvement, eh…?
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 24 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Hello and welcome to Barcelona vs Real Madrid!
It’s the one we’ve all been waiting for! The first Clásico of the 2023-24 season is open us, and it’s a weird one! Neither Camp Nou nor Estadio Santiago Bernabéu will host today’s clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid, which, as ever, could prove to be decisive at the top of the LaLiga table, both now and come the end of the season.
The big question is, can either La Blaugrana or Los Blancos keep up with the blistering pace set by league leaders Girona?
I'm Roddy and thanks for joining me for one of the biggest games of the LaLiga season and indeed in world soccer!