Mbappé's Real Madrid eye clasico revenge against injury-hit Barcelona

Real Madrid, fueled by a red-hot Kylian Mbappé, hosts Barcelona aiming to avenge last season's four Clasico losses. Mbappé leads La Liga in scoring, while Barcelona faces injury concerns in attack and a suspended coach. This crucial match could see Xabi Alonso's Madrid side overcome their recent struggles against their rivals.

Real Madrid and a red-hot Kylian Mbappé host Barcelona on Sunday aiming to hit back at their rivals after losing all four clasicos last season. Mbappé has scored a La Liga-leading 10 goals in nine rounds — four more than his nearest chaser — and another five goals in the Champions League over the first two months of the campaign.

Barcelona arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu with injury concerns in attack and coach Hansi Flick heading for a seat in a stadium box, after he saw a red card for protesting in the last round. Lamine Yamal will start for the visitors after having played two games since returning from a nagging groin injury.

KEY MATCHES

All eyes will be on the first clasico of the season to see whether new coach Xabi Alonso can get Madrid out of their rut against Barcelona. Barcelona swept the quarter of clasicos in all competitions last season by a combined score of 16-7. Barcelona won the Liga fixture in Madrid 4-0 to kick off that run. They then won 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup, 3-2 in the Copa del Rey final, and again 4-3 in La Liga.

“Last year they showed some great finishing, and we have to try to stop that firepower while being crisper up front ourselves,” Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said. Madrid beat Juventus 1-0 with a goal by Jude Bellingham on Wednesday, but Alonso's side suffered a 5-0 humiliation at Atletico Madrid in another big La Liga matchup last month. Barcelona arrive after a 6-1 win against Olympiakos.

Midfielder Fermín López scored a hat-trick and Marcus Rashford added two more goals Madrid lead defending champion Barcelona by two points at the top of the Spanish league table.

Third-placed Villarreal and Atletico, in fourth, will look to close the gap at the top. Villarreal is at Valencia on Saturday, while Atletico travels to fifth-placed Real Betis on Monday with both level on points.

OUT OF ACTION

Raphinha will remain on Barcelona's injured list and left-back Jules Koundé is doubtful for Sunday's clasico match, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is ready to play for Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold was included Saturday on Xabi Alonso's squad list for the first time since the former Liverpool star hurt his left hamstring in mid-September. That leaves only Antonio Rudiger on Madrid's injured list. Barcelona were already without Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo and first-choice goalkeeper Joan García due to injuries for the big match. Raphinha has been sidelined for a month after injuring his right leg in late September.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Rashford is in a strong position to start up front for Barcelona along with Yamal. The on-loan English forward has scored six times since joining from Manchester United.

Pau Cubarsí is a lock to start in Barcelona's defense. The 18-year-old and either Éric García or Ronald Araújo will have the task of slowing down Mbappé. “Everyone knows how talented (Mbappé) is, and all their players are world class,” Cubarsí said. “But we have to focus on our game.” Arda Guler has emerged as Madrid's biggest surprise to fill the gap left by the exits of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric over the last two summers. The 20-year-old Turkey midfielder has made five assists and scored three goals in all competitions this season

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Source: EconomicTimes
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