El Clasico preview: Barcelona aim to maintain their unbeaten league record

The La Liga title and a domestic double are secured, but this Barcelona team can make their mark on history by staying unbeaten.

Barcelona come into this match on the back off a 41 game unbeaten run in the league which stretches all the way back to April 2017. This run means they are yet to be beaten in the league this season with no other team in La Liga history achieving such a long run from the start of the season. However, they could write their names in the record books by going a full 38 game season without losing.

The loss to Roma in the Champions League has altered the complexion of the season in the eyes of supporters. It was a loss so humiliating that some want Ernesto Valverde gone even though he has been remarkably successful. The unbeaten run is increasingly being seen as necessary in order for the Champions League failure to be overlooked.

Real, on the other hand, have had a completely different season. Their league defence was non-existent as they started the season slowly, and the 3-0 loss in the last El Clasico practically ended any hope they had of holding on to the title. They will still be aiming to beat their fierce rivals, though, and deny them the chance to make history.

Real have their own chance of entering the record books because they could be the first team in the Champions League era to win three consecutive titles. They have glaring defensive weaknesses, but they have players who can make it count when it really matters. Bayern dominated both legs of the semi-final, but Los Blancos were able to come away with the result in a similar pattern to a lot of their games in the Champions League this season.

Next: 3 things Barcelona must do to beat Real Madrid

Recent History

The reverse fixture ended 3-0 to Barcelona back in December at the Bernabeu. However, Real won both legs of the Spanish Super Cup in August with an aggregate score of 5-1. Barca also won last season’s El Clasico at the Bernabeu with Lionel Messi scoring late on to make it 3-2. Although last season’s game at Camp Nou ended 1-1 with a late equaliser from Sergio Ramos. Therefore, it’s hard to predict how this one will go because the previous games haven’t followed form and home advantage has little impact.

The individual quality of players in both teams allows them to have a decisive impact on these specific games. This means that the results don’t always follow the form of the teams going in to this match.

Team News

Andres Iniesta has a minor calf issue, but he should be fine to start the game after taking part in training. Apart from that, Barca are in good shape for this game.

Isco and Raphael Varane trained with the squad ahead of the match, so they are available for selection. Although Zinedine Zidane might avoid risking Varane with the defensive options he has available. Dani Carvajal is unavailable after picking up a hamstring injury in the first leg against Bayern, though. He is targeting a return just before the Champions League final later this month.

Tactical Set-ups

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Nine of Barcelona’s starting XI is pretty much guaranteed for this match. The only positions up for contention are right-back and right midfield because Valverde is likely to play 4-4-2. Nelson Semedo offers pace and more a defensive presence while Sergi Roberto provides composure on the ball as well as another midfield presence in possession. Roberto is the more likely of the two to start because Valverde prefers him in this set-up.

The right midfield role has three candidates: Paulinho, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele. They each other something slightly different at the expense of specific areas. Paulinho is the most defensive presence which means he can help break up play on Real’s left flank. Coutinho links up play well between the midfield and the two forwards. He works well between the lines and reduces the creative responsibility on Messi. Dembele is the most direct threat and is more effective in the final third than the others, but is limited defensively.

The return of Isco from injury means Zidane will probably use a 4-4-2 diamond. However, Carvajal’s injury provides him with a big conundrum with Nacho likely to be his replacement. He also has to decide whether to rest players in order to avoid injuries for the Champions League final. Although, the heated rivalry of this fixture makes this unlikely to happen.

Next: Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Expected Starting XI

Expectations

The fact that the title is already decided means that this has the potential to be an exciting game. It’s a big occasion, but nerves are unlikely to play a part because the result won’t have an effect on the standings. Barcelona will obviously want to preserve their unbeaten run, but the title means they have already been rewarded for their hard work this season and have something tangible to take from it. Making history is just an added bonus at this point.

The lack of need for a result means Real can play their swashbuckling style which throws caution to the wind. Playing Isco would give Real a lot more attacking fluidity compared to the reverse fixture. How Valverde sets Barca up will be key in determining how open this game is. This is likely to be a close game, regardless, and the attacking prowess on display means both sides are likely to score; Messi should be the difference, though, so Barca can come away victorious.

Prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid