FC Barcelona must recover from the painful UEFA Champions League as they face arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday (May 10) in what is a potential La Liga title deciding game at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Coach Hansi Flick’s side was moments away from reaching its first UCL final in a decade but Inter Milan bounced back with a scoreline of 4-3 in extra-time to comeback on Tuesday. The Italian side won 7-6 on aggregate in one of the most memorable knockout ties in recent football history.
FC Barcelona's young team was left reeling from the loss, but Flick immediately tried to put the focus on the upcoming El Clasico with only four days separating the two crucial games.
“This game is over and now we have to pick ourselves up and look ahead as we have the clasico coming up,” Flick said after the defeat at San Siro. “I will wake the team up.”
Barca lead the Los Blancos by four points and a victory in the league. That will give them a comfortable cushion, but a Madrid win would throw open the title chase in the three remaining rounds.
Barcelona is seeking a double after having beaten Madrid 3-2 in extra time in the Copa del Rey final two weeks ago. A win will keep extend their winning streak to four this season in the Clasico; they beat Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup in January after winning 4-0 at Madrid in the league in October.
Madrid is looking to salvage an underwhelming season by retaining its La Liga crown, with hopes of carrying momentum into this summer’s expanded Club World Cup. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal—who impressed against Inter but was denied a goal in the second leg—vowed that Barcelona will renew their push for Champions League glory next season. He ended his statement with a spirited call to arms ahead of Madrid’s upcoming visit.
“Sunday is another final and we have to stick together. Go Barça!” Yamal wrote after the game.
The wear and tear of the season has taken its toll and left several players, especially in defense, on the injured list.
Madrid will be without its entire first-choice backline of Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy. Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who plays as a left back, is also out.
That means youth player Raul Asenscio and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni will likely anchor Madrid's defense with Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia playing as full backs.
Barcelona is hoping left back Alejandro Balde will recover from a left-thigh injury that ruled him out of the series against Inter.
Right back Jules Kounde, who netted the winner in the Copa del Rey final, has been ruled out by a left-thigh injury. Ronald Araujo, or perhaps Eric Garcia, will take his place and face off against Madrid’s Vinícius Junior.
Flick will have to decide if Robert Lewandowski or Ferran Torres starts at striker. Lewandowski missed several matches before he came on as a late substitute against Inter this week but was unable to prove effective.
Watch out for the midfield battle between Barcelona’s Pedri González and Madrid’s Jude Bellingham. The playmakers are critical to directing their teams’ attacks.
All three prior clasicos have been high scoring — at least for Barcelona with 12 total goals to Madrid's four, so expect more goals against the depleted defenses at the Olympic Stadium.
Led by Raphinha, Yamal and Lewandowski, Barcelona has a league-high 91 goals, compared to Madrid’s 69. Both sides have conceded 33 goals this campaign.
Lewandowski leads the league with 25 goals. Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe is right behind with 24. But while Yamal and Raphinha are having breakout seasons, Vinicius and Rodrigo have been inconsistent.
With Barcelona ruling the statistics and recent meetings, Madrid will have to capitalize on its extra days of rest and hope that Barcelona’s morale was damaged by Inter.
The vibe in Spain is that Sunday’s game will likely be the last big contest for Carlo Ancelotti as the Madrid coach.
He is under contract through the next campaign but is widely expected to leave the club after a rough season in which the team played worse despite adding Mbappe to its squad.
Brazil has been courting Ancelotti for over a year and it appears talks are still ongoing with the veteran manager. Ancelotti has repeatedly deflected questions regarding his future by saying he will announce his plans when the season ends.
Here are the livestreaming details of the FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga match:
When will the FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga match take place?
The FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga match will take place on Sunday (May 11).
What time will the FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga match take place?
The FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga match will take place at 7:45 PM (IST).
Where will the FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga match take place?
The FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga match will take place at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Where to watch the FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga match on TV?
The FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga match will not be broadcasted on TV in India.
Where to live-stream the FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga match in India?
The FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga match will livestream on FanCode app and website. (With AP inputs)
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