Aerial Edge: Barca Seizes the Sky Ahead of El Clasico, Madrid Struggles in the Air
26 October 2025
Madrid has struggled in aerial duels this season ahead of Sunday’s Clasico in La Liga, but Barcelona shows a different story in the air.
Barça's aerial edge in La Liga
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona has registered more headed goals than Madrid this season, with five headers from Lewandowski (two), Koundé, Araújo, and Rafinha among a total of 24 Barça goals in nine rounds.
Real Madrid, by contrast, has just one header goal this term, coming from Arda Güler, out of 20 goals overall.
Defensively, Madrid coach Xabi Alonso’s side has conceded four headed goals this season, credited to Moriki, Eta Iyong, Lu Norman, and Sorlukh, from nine total goals conceded.
Barcelona, meanwhile, has not conceded a headed goal in the ten headers they have faced; La Liga’s headers are a small but telling stat this season.
Coach’s brief and lineup notes
Marcus Sorg, Barcelona’s assistant coach, spoke at the pre-match press conference in place of the suspended head coach, addressing players’ condition, the importance of the clash, refereeing, and behavior of opposing stars like Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé.
Madrid has discussed Rafinha’s injury status; Ferran Torres may start or sit out, and a final decision will be made on Sunday.
When Flick is not here, we miss him; he is the heart of the team. The squad will give 100 percent and adapt.
He is the kind of player like Lamine Yamal, top class and likely to be motivated by this clash to perform at his best.
Koundé is training well; a final decision will be made after the last session about his availability.
Refereeing is a topic of focus; the team will concentrate on its own play, acknowledge errors, and strive to act as a single unit.
Barça’s approach remains: press with and without the ball, push the back line when needed, and not abandon their style.
In such games, chances are 50-50; the better team on the day wins.
Having Flick available is important as players trust him and feel safe; his absence is a handicap.
Rotation is sometimes necessary with injuries and a tight schedule; you cannot keep the same names in 60 games.
Madrid’s threat lies in sharp attacking transitions; the front line presses hard, presenting a challenge for Barça.
At the Bernabéu, emotions run high and refereeing can influence outcomes; the team must stay focused, avoid losing possession, press well, and play as a block to win.
We have discussed the behavior of opponents like Vinícius and Mbappé, and the squad is ready for what comes.
Possession is crucial; if we lose the ball, we must learn, and we have worked on solutions to prevent easy losses.
Punchline 1: If headers paid salaries, Barcelona would be printing payrolls on the back of the crossbar.
Punchline 2: El Clasico tip: the ball rises, the crowd rises higher, and the nerves rise even faster.
