Barcelona vs Real Madrid — 25 October 2026

The first El Clásico of the season could have significant implications for the La Liga title race. Barcelona enter the match six points ahead of Real Madrid, putting pressure on the visitors to prevent the gap from growing. The buildup has also been marked by a refereeing controversy. After reports emerged that Alejandro Hernández Hernández could officiate the match, José Mourinho publicly criticized the premature disclosure of the referee's identity. Spanish media subsequently reported that another official would be appointed.

Barcelona's Attacking Form and Defensive Concerns

Barcelona have made a perfect start to their La Liga campaign, winning all nine matches and scoring 39 goals, an average of 4.33 per game. Recent league victories over Getafe (3-0) and Real Betis (5-2) have underlined their attacking strength. Hansi Flick's team have also won every home league match by at least two goals.

However, Barcelona's 11-match winning streak across all competitions ended on Tuesday with a 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The result highlighted ongoing defensive problems. Barcelona have conceded at least twice in four of their last seven matches, raising questions about their ability to contain Madrid's attack.

Injuries have further complicated Flick's defensive preparations. Eric García and Andreas Christensen are ruled out, while Jules Koundé remains doubtful. Dani Olmo also suffered an adductor injury against PSG and is expected to miss approximately a month.

Flick took steps to manage his key players' workloads in Paris. Rodri started on the bench and played around 30 minutes, while Pedri and Raphinha were substituted during the second half. The Barcelona manager confirmed that the upcoming meeting with Real Madrid influenced his decisions to limit their playing time.

Real Madrid's Away Struggles and Squad Absences

Real Madrid arrive in strong attacking form, having won four consecutive matches across all competitions. Mourinho's team have scored four goals in each of their last three games, but their defensive record has been considerably less convincing. Madrid have kept just two clean sheets in their first 12 matches of the season.

Their away performances have been particularly inconsistent. Madrid lost to Atlético Madrid (2-1) and Real Betis (1-0), while victories against Espanyol (2-1), Elche (3-2), and Roma (4-3) required late decisive goals. The team's resilience and Mourinho's substitutions have helped turn difficult matches around, but the recurring defensive problems remain a concern ahead of a visit to the league leaders.

Madrid also face significant selection problems. Vinícius Júnior is serving a four-match suspension following his dismissal against Villarreal. Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio are unavailable through injury, reducing Mourinho's options in attack and defense.

There is more encouraging news regarding Éder Militão, who has recovered and already returned to competitive action. Ferland Mendy has also resumed training with the squad, although his availability for El Clásico remains uncertain.

Key Factors

Both teams enter El Clásico with productive attacks but questions about their defensive stability. Barcelona's high defensive line could provide opportunities for Kylian Mbappé and Diomande to exploit space behind the back four, particularly given the home side's injuries in defense.

For Madrid, managing Barcelona's attacking pressure without leaving additional space in transition will be an important challenge. Barcelona, meanwhile, must balance their aggressive approach with the defensive protection needed against Madrid's pace. How effectively each team handles these situations could have a substantial influence on the match.