Real Madrid, buoyed by Kylian Mbappé’s form and early-season promise under Xabi Alonso, are intent on ending Barcelona’s recent dominance in the Clasico
Real Madrid enter Sunday’s fixture with renewed ambition, aiming to reverse Barcelona’s recent edge in El Clásico. Last season, Barça claimed four wins over their rivals across league and cup competitions, including two in La Liga alone.
Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Madrid currently lead Barcelona by two points and believe a victory would ease lingering doubts about their performance in high-stakes matches. However, concerns remain after earlier setbacks: a loss to PSG in the Club World Cup semi-final and a heavy 5–2 defeat to Atlético Madrid.
Kylian Mbappé is at the heart of Madrid’s charge, contributing half of their La Liga goals so far this season. “We’re not dependent on him,” asserted Alonso, adding: “We are very happy with his performance, he’s being decisive.”
With Barça’s defence showing early-season vulnerabilities and the pairing of Arda Güler and Mbappé growing in synergy, Madrid sense an opportunity to regain psychological and practical upper hand at the Bernabéu.