Who are FC Barcelona's main rivals? A look at the grudge matches
- The El Clasico fixture between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid has been an all-time classic.
- Having new additions to their teams, Barca and Real Madrid would try to get past each other.
Ever since football began to engrave its roots in Spanish territory, the FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid fixture has been an iconic fixture. The rivalry, better known as El Clasico, has been the central attraction for football fans to show enthusiasm regarding La Liga.
Witnessing some of the biggest clashes in the history of football, including Zidane against Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo against Leo Messi, and now Kylian Mbappe against Robert Lewandowski, the Clasico rivalry has been an all-time classic. However, the recent fortunes of both clubs have witnessed contrasting changes.
Since Barca's all-time legend Leo Messi's exit in 2021, Barca has been found catching up with Real Madrid, while the latter has registered many European glories to their name. But on a positive note, Hansi Flick's tenure has given the hope that Barca might return to their best, and with the potential signings of Nico Williams and Dani Olmo, they might give Los Blancos a tough fight.
On that note, let's take a look at the upcoming fixtures between the two Spanish giants, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid:
FC Barcelona Vs Real Madrid (4th August 2024)
The first Clasico fixture between the two teams would be on 4th August 2024. As a part of Barcelona's US Preseason tour, the Blaugrana club would feature against arguably the best football club.
Though the squads for the preseason fixture haven't been announced yet, the match would most probably feature the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr. for Real Madrid and Robert Lewandowski, Raphael, and Ilkay Gundogan for Barcelona. However, as evident from Barca's recent injury woes, their squad strength looks thin to feature against the attack led by Mbappe, Vinicius, and Bellingham.
Having their key players, De Jong, Ronald Araujo, and Pedri injured, chances are in favor of Real Madrid to overpower the Catalan club in the first El Clasico fixture of the 2024/25 campaign. Though Barca's odds look a bit less, the presence of Lewandowski in attack, Gundogan to lead the midfield, and an in-form Kounde in the backline, the Blaugrana club can't be ruled straight out from the clash.
FC Barcelona Vs Real Madrid (27th October 2024)
The iconic Santiago Bernabeu stadium would host the second Clasico fixture of the upcoming 2024/25 campaign and the first competitive clash of the two Spanish giants. Unlike the Preseason clash, this La Liga meetup of the two clubs would most probably witness the full-strength squads of both clubs.
Featuring the clash between a star-studded attack led by Kylian Mbappe and a comparatively young Barcelona attack having the presence of Barca's sensation Lamine Yamal and wingmate Nico Williams, the fixture looks all set to become an all-time classic. With De Jong, Pedri, and Gundogan against Real's dangerous midfield consisting of Bellingham, Fede Valverde, and Luka Modric, the match looks perfectly balanced.
Dani Olmo's homecoming transfer move to FC Barcelona complicates. dark. Next. Dani Olmo's homecoming transfer move to FC Barcelona complicates
Moreover, by the time Flick's adaptability with the Catalan squad would have increased manifolds, and with the return of De Jong and Pedri, the Blaugrana club holds a strong chance of putting up a show at the Bernabeu. Overall, the La Liga clash would play a crucial role in deciding Barca's fate next season, as the two biggest Spanish clubs, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, would seek a chance to get past the other.
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