Barcelona’s two victories in El Clásico ultimately proved the difference in their La Liga title success last season, so they will know just how damaging Sunday‘s defeat could prove to be.
Despite thumping Olympiacos 6–1 in the Champions League on Tuesday night, there’s no denying that the visitors were heading into the first Clásico of 2025–26 in a difficult moment. The injury list remained lengthy, with no Raphinha in the matchday squad on Sunday, and Hansi Flick’s dismissal late on against Girona meant he was up in the Gods for this weekend’s affair.
