PREVIEW: Real Madrid v FC Barcelona
It’s been quite the week for Barça, and having already qualified for their sixth successive Copa del Rey final on Wednesday at Real Madrid’s expense, the players return to the Santiago Bernabéu for another El Clásico, this time in the League. Ernesto Valverde’s men will go looking for the three points which will allow them to consolidate their lead at the top of the table.
How to follow the game live
The game kicks off at 8.45pm CET. A list of broadcasters can be found here and these are the timetables for the rest of the world.
Interesting facts
- After Wednesday evening’s 0-3 success, Barça have drawn level on the overall head-to-head record with Los Blancos. Both sides now have 95 wins each from 241 El Clásico fixtures.
- When Barça take to the field at the Bernabéu on Saturday evening, it will be the first time in the club’s 120-year history that they will have done so in successive matches.
- Though goals can never be guaranteed, there hasn’t been a 0-0 draw in the fixture since November 23, 2002.
- Barça have won on seven of their last 10 visits to the Bernabéu in the League.
The squad
Ter Stegen, N. Semedo, Piqué, I. Rakitic, Sergio, Coutinho, Arthur, Suárez, Messi, O. Dembélé, Cillessen, Malcom, Lenglet, Murillo, Jordi Alba, S. Roberto, Aleñá, Vidal and Umtiti.
Todibo, Samper and Prince have been left out of the squad whilst Rafinha and Vermaelen are injured.
Coaches’ viewpoints
Ernesto Valverde recognised the difficulty of beating Real Madrid for the second time in a few days. “It’s difficult to repeat a result against the same opponent, but we will try to win because the League demands it,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “When you win, you gain confidence, but when you lose you want to reverse that, so it will be a tough match.”
His opposite number, Santiago Solari, said “We’re standing again, ready to get back up and take the points. We’ll go into the match with all the enthusiasm possible, and with the same spirit. We’re trying to improve things.”