The Santiago Bernabéu braces for war, as Real Madrid host Barcelona in a pivotal La Liga encounter. Just two points separate the top two sides in the league. Yet the buildup to the 262nd official El Clásico has been dominated not by tactical chatter or individual brilliance, but by an injury crisis weakening both rosters.
Real Madrid benefit from the timely return of several defenders, while Barcelona contend with a long list of absences threatening to nullify their attacking power.
Real Madrid: Key Returns Before Clásico
Under manager Xabi Alonso, Madrid have endured a difficult defensive stretch. Antonio Rüdiger underwent hamstring surgery in September and remains out, while David Alaba is sidelined with recurring muscular issues. These are the only confirmed absentees for Los Blancos.
There is good news elsewhere. Ferland Mendy is included in the squad but will only feature if necessary. Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who went off injured against Marseille, has recovered. He returned from a hamstring injury ahead of schedule and resumed full training. But he might not start. Xabi Alonso will probably prefer to start Dani Carvajal, who was absent for a month due to a calf strain sustained in the Madrid derby, but is now available. Even Federico Valverde as a makeshift right-back could be an option for Alonso.
Young center-back Dean Huijsen and midfielder Dani Ceballos are also back. They had both withdrawn from international duty with muscle complaints.
Offensively, the squad remains intact. Kylian Mbappé has shaken off an ankle issue and leads the line with 10 league goals, supported by Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo. After a shaky 1-0 Champions League win over Juventus midweek, Alonso will hope the return of a near full-strength squad provides stability and steadies his lineup.
Barcelona: Wrong Timing
Barcelona are on a generational run against Real Madrid, having won 4 El Clásicos in a row and look set to break the all-time consecutive El Clásico win record if they replicate last season’s form again this time around.
But the absentees list is extensive. Both starting goalkeepers, Marc-André ter Stegen and Joan García, remain out. Veteran Wojciech Szczęsny has been reliable in their absence, featuring in three of the four Clásico victories last season.
The biggest blows, however, are in attack. Robert Lewandowski, last season’s 42-goal scorer, is sidelined with a muscle injury. Ferran Torres has just returned from a knock sustained on Spain duty and is lacking match fitness. Raphinha, who started the season in the very same scintillating form that led him to a 5th place in the Ballon D’or last season, is also a doubt. The Brazilian entered the gym on Friday but did not train with his teammates as a precautionary measure and might not feature at all in the lineup on Sunday. Dani Olmo also remains unavailable due to a calf tear sustained on international duty with Spain.
Jules Kounde, just like Raphinha, did not train on Friday after sustaining a knock and is undergoing solitary training. If the recovery plan for him works as intended, he’s expected to travel to Madrid. Although he may not start. Gavi is out due to a long-term meniscus injury and Frenkie De Jong, who also missed training this week due to gastroenteritis, is expected to return and start in the midfield on Sunday.
Even Lamine Yamal and Fermín López have just returned from hip and groin issues respectively in last weekend’s fixture, with both carrying limited match sharpness. Flick faces tough choices, with key players either unavailable or carrying risks.
Clásico Always Delivers
Madrid lead La Liga with 24 points from 9 matches. Barcelona sit close behind on 22. A home victory would extend Alonso’s promising debut campaign and avenge last season’s aggregate defeats. A Barça win would reinforce Flick’s tactical system and extend their run and their psychological hold over Los Merengues.
Both clubs are also balancing Champions League exertions. Madrid were made to toil hard for their victory against Juventus, while Barcelona hosted Olympiacos in a comparatively comfortable match. The difference in squad depth could prove decisive though, with Barça’s thinner bench magnifying the physical toll.
But El Clásico is a spectacle that has always delivered – through injuries, civil wars, controversies and what not. The absences may reshape Sunday’s clash, but they could also create space for a new name to etch themselves into El Clásico history forever.
