On Sunday, the mother of all Spanish hits will again take place in Camp Nou. FC Barcelona asks arch-rivals Real Madrid in the tenth round of the Spanish league for a “Clasico” that points the way for the table. The omens before the summit speak more for the guests than for the hosts, because Real recently presented itself in a goal mood. It is still open whether there will also be an “Austrian meeting” in the prestige duel.
Even if the Catalans did not run smoothly recently and the traditional club is currently only in seventh place, Barcelona are currently five places, but only two points away from the second-placed Madrilenians. In other words, with a success in the “Clasico”, Barca would overtake Real in terms of points. For their part, the Madrilenians are also in the lead with a win in the Schlager. Provided Real Sociedad, who only won 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday at Sturm Graz, will not also win against defending champion Atletico Madrid.
The goal scoring speaks clearly for Real in the “Clasico”. David Alaba and Co. are the league’s goal factory with 22 goals scored. Above all, Karim Benzema is in top form. The Frenchman has already scored nine times in the championship and prepared seven goals. Striker partner Vinicius Junior also knows how to please. The 21-year-old Brazilian scored seven goals in eleven competitive games of the season. In the 5-0 victory in the Champions League at Shakhtar Donetsk, Vinicius Junior entered the scorers’ list twice and Benzema once.
Benzema could be distracted at the wrong time. Because at the same time as the soccer summit, the trial of attempted blackmail with a sex video against the 33-year-old is running in Versailles. In the absence of the striker, the public prosecutor demanded a suspended sentence of ten months and a fine of 75,000 euros. The verdict on Benzema is not due to take place until November 24th.
Alaba set, Demir probably a replacement
Barcelona’s trump card in the prestige comparison should be Ansu Fati. The 18-year-old is one of those youngsters who should give Barcelona and the still numbered coach Ronald Koeman a rosier future. Gavi and the currently injured Pedri are also regulars. In addition to Fati, who extended his current contract this week including an exit clause of one billion euros until 2027, Memphis Depay is supposed to take care of the creative moments in the game of “Blaugrana”.
On the Real side, David Alaba wants to prevent that. The Viennese were back in central defense in the 5-0 victory in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk after he last played in the league 1: 2 against Espanyol at the back left. The reviews for Austria’s star were mixed afterwards, but coach Carlo Ancelotti vehemently defended the newcomer.
It is still open whether the prestige duel will also lead to an “Austrian derby”. Because Alaba is likely to be in defense as before at Real, his young national team colleague Yusuf Demir at Barcelona, on the other hand, will experience the kick-off on the bench. The 18-year-old Demir was also there at the beginning of the season due to some injured offensive people. Due to the comebacks of Fati and, most recently, Sergio Aguero, the chances of using the Rapid loan have fallen rapidly.
