Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid are currently top of the La Liga table. They have only lost one game this season and are at home for the El Clasico. One would think all these make them the favourites for Sunday’s El Clasico. But maybe, they really are not.
Last season’s El Clasico were all disastrous for Real Madrid. They lost both legs in the league to Barcelona, and with embarrassing scoreline too. At the Bernabeu, it was a disgraceful 0-4 loss, followed by a 3-2 loss in the Copa del Rey finals. They still went on to lose 4-3 at Barcelona’s ground, despite being 2-0 ahead. These results certainly played a part in the club letting go of Carlo Ancelotti.
Real Madrid have since moved on to Xabi Alonso as head coach. And his competitive start was the World Club Cup. His team picked up wins up until the semi finals against PSG where the team were 3-0 down, in less than 30 minutes and would go on to lose the match 4-0. The first “hard” game that Xabi’s side faced and they failed terribly.
The side would go on to have a similar tangent in the league. They had not lost any games in the league and were even stingy in the defence, until they travelled to their city rivals, Atletico Madrid, for what most viewed as their first “big” test in the league. A test they also failed woefully as they lost 5-2 to Atleti, a team that was not having the best start in the league.
Real Madrid have seemingly bounced back from that loss. But they also don’t look like world beaters. Not at the moment. They instead, come across as a Work in Progress. They head into the clasico after a 1-0 win against Juventus, a game where Thibauit Courtois pulled off some really good saves, albeit Real Madrid also creating good chances.
They will be facing a Barcelona side, full of confidence. Not only are they the reigning league champions, they won all the Classicos last season. Their teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal is fearless and raring to go. Fermin Lopez (who has already scored in an El Clasico) is in fine form.
Barcelona have rarely been embarrassed by Real Madrid, even when they lose (there is a 4-0 loss in recent times though). They also won their Champions league tie, 6-1. Their quiet confidence is well earned.
It is too early in the season to think that the winner of the tie is automatically the league winner. However, the El Clasico is much more than that. It is bragging rights. It is handing over the impetus.
All eyes are on Xabi Alonso and his team. It’s another big test. Would they pass this one?
