Madrid, Spain – The highly anticipated El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona is set to take place this Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu, pitting two of football's biggest stars, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford, against each other. The match holds significant weight as Real Madrid currently leads La Liga with 24 points, closely followed by Barcelona with 22.
Real Madrid enters the match with a recent victory over Juventus in the Champions League, where Bellingham scored the lone goal. Bellingham has declared himself to be in peak physical condition, ready to give his all for the team. "I'm strong and positive, probably in the best physical condition I've been in a long time," Bellingham stated. He emphasized the importance of managing emotions and maintaining mental stability throughout the 90 minutes. Speaking to Realmadrid TV, Bellingham acknowledged the magnitude of El Clásico, stating, "It's probably one of the biggest games in the world... It's an incredible game to play, especially at home, and I'm really looking forward to it".
Barcelona, however, is facing an injury crisis ahead of the Clásico. Key players such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen are sidelined due to injuries. Despite these setbacks, the team hopes for the fitness of Ferran Torres, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen and Frenkie De Jong. Adding to Barcelona's challenges, head coach Hansi Flick will be absent due to suspension, leaving assistant coach Marcus Sorg to lead the team from the bench. Sorg acknowledged the absence of Raphinha, stating, "Any team would miss Raphinha, but the situation is what it is".
Marcus Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United, is expected to play a crucial role for Barcelona, especially with Raphinha's absence. Rashford has been in sensational form, showcasing his talents since joining Barcelona. He has five goals and six assists in 12 appearances, averaging 1.24 goal contributions per 90 minutes. The Spanish media have praised Rashford's impact, noting his versatility and ability to make a difference in the game. "It's about time Barca saw someone score from a free kick, a deficit that has been dragging on since Leo Messi's painful departure". Rashford himself has lauded Barcelona's young midfielder Pedri, highlighting his understanding of the game and dribbling ability. "I knew he was a great player before I came here, but playing alongside him every day is a real pleasure," Rashford said.
Real Madrid will be without Antonio Rudiger due to injury but welcomes back Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Huijsen is expected to partner with Eder Militao at center-back.
The match will be broadcast globally on various networks.
With both teams eager to secure a victory, the clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona promises to be a thrilling encounter.
