Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona | La Liga MD 10 | OneFootball

The first El Clasico of the season is here, and Real Madrid could not have entered the game with more reason to push for a win and make a big statement.

Last season was one of the club’s worst in terms of the El Clasico record, with Real Madrid losing all four games against Barcelona, mostly in embarrassing fashion.

The Catalans were superior in every aspect, exploited Real Madrid’s defensive lapses, and blew them away with their rejuvenated attack.

This time around, however, the situation looks less promising for the Catalans and hands Real Madrid a real chance to begin the new season with one up on their arch-rivals.

Having the home advantage, moreover, Real Madrid will look to extend their lead at the top of the table on the night.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona.

Major defensive boost

Real Madrid have plenty of reasons to celebrate ahead of El Clasico in terms of fitness updates, with as many as five players receiving the medical all clear to return to the squad.

Most of the returnees are from the defensive unit in what comes as a major boost for Xabi Alonso. For starters, Dean Huijsen is expected to return to the starting lineup in perhaps the single biggest boost for Los Blancos.

The defence has looked lacklustre in the Spaniard’s absence, and his return will bring back the stability and ball-playing freedom.

He will be crucial against Barcelona, not only for his defensive grit but for his distribution, ability to hold up under high pressure. In fact, his long balls will be one of the team’s biggest weapons to break the opposition’s defence on the night.

Concurrently, Alonso also has boosts in the right-back department with both Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold returning to the squad.

While they might not be 100% match-fit after long periods out, all signs point to one of them starting, given the high-pressure situation and their experience.

Their return, needless to say, also comes at the right time as Barcelona will look to stretch the play wide through Alejandro Balde and Marcus Rashford. The defensive returnees, thus, will have a massive role to play in El Clasico.

Mbappe’s time to shine

The key. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Real Madrid may have lost all the Clasicos last season, but one common theme across all those games was that Kylian Mbappe persistently found ways to attack Barcelona’s goal.

Indeed, the Frenchman was caught offside time and time again last season and saw a number of goals and chances ruled out owing to the surgical precision with which the Catalans enforced the tactic. The situation, however, is different now.

For starters, Mbappe is far more seasoned and adjusted to the environment in Madrid now. His confidence is at an all-time high, and he is one of, if not the most, in-form players in world football.

That, coupled with the fact that Barcelona have not implemented the high defensive line with the same efficiency this season, gives the star player a better chance of breaking into the box and enjoying a goalscoring fest tomorrow.

All eyes at the Bernabeu, thus, will be on Mbappe to see if he can exploit and punish Barcelona’s defensive tactic that he struggled with last season. After all, he will be the team’s biggest attacking outlet and will carry most of he responsibility in the final third.

The midfield battle

Both teams enter the game with an in-form attacking department and relatively shaky defences. Where the game will be won or lost, however, will be neither department but the midfield.

Guler has been impressing in midfield and Bellingham is returning to form. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Real Madrid’s midfield this season has significantly improved from the mess it was last season. Arda Guler stepping up, Jude Bellingham embracing a new role, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s good form have worked well with cohesion and connected effectively with Mbappe.

What has changed from last season, however, is that Los Blancos now play a more possession-based style of football – something Barcelona have historically been known for and are more seasoned at.

Retaining possession against the Blaugrana and orchestrating an effective press, thus will revolve around Real Madrid’s midfield performance.

The likes of Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham will be critical in winning the ball back and ensuring that Real Madrid keep control of the proceedings, and will be up for a tough challenge as they go up against Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Fermin Lopez.

Given that Barcelona’s midfield is superior in terms of technical ability, Real Madrid will have to put in an extra shift in terms of their off-the-ball work and pressing system to prevent the visitors from taking the upper hand.

Simultaneously, Guler and Bellingham will be crucial to set Mbappe free behind the defence, and it will be vital that they release the ball early to beat the offside trap. They will, thus, play a game of fine margins tomorrow, and the battle will be fascinating to witness.