Madrid's Comeback Quest: Will El Clasico Rewrite the Script at the Bernabéu?
24 October 2025
El Clasico Preview: Pride on the Line at the Bernabéu
Barcelona dominated the Clasico quartet last season, but Real Madrid are ready to answer with force as they host their Catalan rival on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu, in the tenth round of La Liga.
Madrid sits on 24 points under new coach Xabi Alonso, two points clear of defending champions Barcelona, in a clash that will test identity and supremacy in La Liga.
Last season's memories linger as a new era begins
Madrid fans still feel the sting of last season when Barca ruled every Clasico under Hansi Flick, winning all four meetings (two in the league, one in the cup, and one in the Spanish Super Cup), helping Barca complete a domestic treble and signaling the end of Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid era.
Now, Alonso begins his Madrid tenure with his first Clasico in charge, hoping to prove his project can topple the titleholders, especially after a string of positive results kept Madrid at the top after nine rounds.
Mbappe, Alonso's first big test and the Güler factor
Mbappe is the heartbeat of Real Madrid's attack this season, scoring 10 league goals and 15 across all competitions, accounting for more than half of Madrid's total goals. He arrives in peak form, having found the net in 11 consecutive appearances for club and country. Alonso has suggested the team isn't a one-man show, even as the numbers increasingly point to Mbappe as the central figure.
Arda Güler has emerged as Madrid's secret weapon on the left, weaving between lines to feed Mbappe and unlock defenses, with Alonso praising the Turk's vision and timing.
Madrid's home form is a fortress, with 10 straight wins across competitions, a run that injects confidence ahead of the Clasico against a Barca side eager to reaffirm their status as champions despite injuries.
Rivalry, injuries, and the stakes
Historically, Real Madrid and Barcelona have met 261 official times, with Madrid winning 105 to Barca's 104 and 52 draws—a razor-thin balance that makes every Clasico a test of psychology and legacy.
Barça's injury list adds to the intrigue: Gavi, Dani Olmo, and goalkeeper Joao Garcia are sidelined, while Lewandowski's goal threat remains a constant concern for Madrid's defense, though Rafinha's return could boost Barca's creativity.
The match isn't just about three points; it's a clash of identities, a test of who sets the pace for the season. Real Madrid aim to reassert authority under Alonso, while Barcelona seek to cement their aura as champions despite setbacks.
With Mbappe at the core and Güler thriving as his partner, the Bernabeu clash promises a tactical chess match that could shape the year for both clubs.
In the end, it's a battle of crowns: royal dominance or the lingering Catalan curse.
Punchline 1: If football were a documentary, this Clasico would be the cliffhanger—dramatic, unpredictable, and with a cameo by the crossbar. Punchline 2: In this game, even the grass at the Bernabéu seems to whisper the scoreline before the players do.
