Confident Barcelona set to take on unpredictable La Liga champions Real Madrid

They are currently three points ahead of the second-place Spanish and European champions, who are facing challenges with consistency and balance as they prepare for Kylian Mbappe's debut Clasico with Real Madrid.

It is also Barcelona coach Hansi Flick’s first Clasico and his team’s 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Oct 23 demonstrated how he has revitalised the Catalan giants in a matter of months.

Real had their own European epic on Oct 22 in a repeat of last season’s final against Borussia Dortmund, and they produced a classic Los Blancos comeback from two goals down to destroy the visitors 5-2.

Their poor first half gave way to an explosive second, with Vinicius Junior scoring a hat-trick.

“Very timid, with little control,” coach Carlo Ancelotti summarised his team’s first half against Dortmund.

“But we woke up after the break and did very well, in all aspects, intensity, pressing, quality, everything... it was spectacular.”

He was in no doubts over which version of Real he expected to see against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“It’s not too complicated... the second half Madrid,” added the Italian coach.

Los Blancos will be without Rodrygo and Thibaut Courtois after injuries against Dortmund, while Jude Bellingham is yet to score in 10 games this season, having netted 10 goals at the same stage in 2023.

Without the retired Toni Kroos, Ancelotti must lean heavily on 39-year-old Luka Modric for midfield creativity, as Real bid to go a 43rd league match unbeaten, matching Barcelona’s all-time record set between 2017-18.

Vinicius’ treble was a timely show of his quality ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Oct 28, where he is expected to win the accolade for the first time.

“We’ll go for it, in our stadium, with our fans, and we will fight for everything this season like always,” he said.

The Brazilian forward and Mbappe have the pace to devastate Barcelona’s defence if Flick persists with his high back-line, in which Bayern broke in several times in the first half and on another night may have scored more than once.

However, Barcelona’s attack is in sizzling form and Vinicius’ compatriot Raphinha netted a hat-trick of his own against the German giants.

At times he and teenage Spain winger Lamine Yamal were utterly unstoppable, while veteran target man Robert Lewandowski is at his lethal best.

The 36-year-old Polish striker has 12 La Liga goals, at least double that of any other player, including Mbappe on six.

Barcelona have nine wins from 10 games in La Liga despite a raft of injury problems, which are starting to abate.

Flick has Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez and summer arrival Dani Olmo back at his disposal after they missed most of the season thus far.

The coach said the emphatic win over Bayern was the best way to arrive at the Clasico.

“If you win this type of game you have to celebrate it, for the team it’s incredible,” noted Flick.

“It gives us the confidence to believe in ourselves ahead of Saturday’s game.” AFP