As Barcelona returned to action after the international break, the emphasis was always on two particular games that highlighted their calendar this month – Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Now having passed the first big test, that too with flying colours, the Catalans stare the next big challenge in the eye whilst on a high.
El Clasico is finally here, a game that has not quite gone in their favour in recent times. Real Madrid have beaten the Catalans in the last three Clasico’s in official competitions with the latest one being a late comeback win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A lot is riding on Saturday night’s game for which Real Madrid have got an extra day of rest and the home advantage.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are still on cloud nine after their win over Bayern Munich and will look to ride the same wave of momentum.
Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of El Clasico.
One more step to paradise
Some may find Barcelona’s celebrations after the win over Bayern Munich to be a bit much, especially considering it was just a win in the early stages of the UEFA Champions League. Yet, it was not exaggerated one bit for only the players and fans know how much the win meant to the team.
Having been suppressed in Europe in recent years, the game finally marked the team’s win over a serious elite opposition and a team that has been a nemesis in recent times, thus providing the dressing room with confidence like never before.
With the German giants conquered, all eyes are on the second consecutive game against a European heavyweight, this time in Real Madrid. To win both games would be a dream come true for Hansi Flick and co. and a true marker of their potential this season.
The 90 minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu will not be easy, especially considering Los Blancos’ form in recent weeks. However, a win would take the team to paradise and a stunning six points clear on top of the league table.
In what only adds to the script, the men in white are dangerously close to levelling Barcelona’s record for the most games unbeaten in La Liga and can draw level with a win or a draw tomorrow. A must-win on many levels.
The selection dilemma
Hansi Flick’s fortunes have well and truly turned around as Barcelona have proceeded from a situation of few midfield options to a sheer surplus.
With Dani Olmo, Gavi Frenkie de Jong and Fermin Lopez all fit to start, the manager faces a serious selection dilemma, especially given how Marc Casado and Pedri are now established and regular starters.
The German coach opted to deploy Fermin Lopez in the No. 10 role against Bayern Munich and the experiment yielded great results with the Spaniard recording two assists and a great performance.
Heading into El Clasico, the manager thus faces an interesting question. On one hand, he can retain the trust in Fermin who did not put a step wrong and created a serious threat in the Bavarian box midweek.
Concurrently, however, Olmo made a strong case to start with his cameo and is a star on the field as has been clear with his previous performances.
A third possibility would be to shift Pedri to the attacking midfielder role with De Jong joining Casado in the double-pivot, a manoeuvre that yielded good results in the final stretch of this week’s UCL clash.
The coach’s midfield selection, needless to say, virtually dictates the style of play Barcelona will put out against their arch-rivals and it is critical that he gets it right.
Eye on the high line
A lot was speculated before Barcelona’s game against Bayern about the team’s high line and whether the manager would tweak the setup to reduce the threat of the Germans’ attacking the space behind the defence.
Flick, however, stayed put with his philosophy and while Bayern did dominate the opening 20 minutes, Barcelona regained control soon enough and did well despite the high line.
It is clear that the coach values his defenders placed high and that he has drilled them well to ensure the offside trap is flawless. However, it will be put to perhaps the biggest test tomorrow night.
Real Madrid have always been a side to thrive on the counter-attack. With Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe now in their ranks, their threat on the break has only increased.
Flick is stubborn with his ways and will likely not alter his style to defend against Carlo Ancelotti’s side. It will thus be interesting to see how the team manage the high line against Real Madrid’s pace and it will count for so much of the result.
Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, in particular, will be under the spotlight given the large spaces behind them that were exploited in the previous outing. Will Flick adapt to Real Madrid’s playing style or stay put? A big decision awaits.
