Preview: Latest El Clásico to bring the drama, spark and temper

Following a sensational European win over Bayern Munich in midweek, Barcelona return to action with a trip to the Spanish capital for the first El Clásico of the season against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday Night Fútbol.

Barça come into this one on the heels of their most consequential victory in years to finally conquer their continental nemesis and prove that Hansi Flick’s team is for real.

All the pre-match questions were strongly answered, and there’s very little doubt right now that the Catalans can compete against anybody.

But no matter who they conquer and how great form is, facing their biggest rivals at the Bernabéu is a completely different type of beast.

Madrid have proven time and time again this season that they do not have to play well to win matches, and form goes completely out the window when Los Blancos and the Blaugrana meet each other.

The Catalans have beaten Madrid at their very worst, and the same has been true for Real many times.

And while Barça proved against Bayern that their high-risk defensive style and offside trap can work against the very best attacking forces in Europe, they’re going to face a forward trio in Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. that is about as well-equipped to expose a high line as there is on the planet.

It is true that Madrid will miss two key pieces in goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and winger Rodrygo, but there’s still too much talent to count them out even if they’re not anywhere near their best right now.

The fact they get to play at home and that Bellingham and Vinicius had such great success against Barça last season gives enough reason to respect them a whole lot, and the added ingredient of Mbappé’s first Clásico appearance makes this a fascinating encounter.

Barça’s position on the table will remain unchanged as they will stay top of the table even if they lose by as many as four goals on Saturday, but they have a chance to extend their lead to six points and make an early statement in the title race with a victory in Madrid.

The Blaugrana haven’t won a competitive game against Real in almost 20 months, and their last win at the Bernabéu happened more than two and a half years ago.

If the visitors can break those two streaks and do it as convincingly as they did against Bayern, then all the questions will be answered for good and we can all finally stop doubting Flick’s troops.

Barça will be really for real, and will suddenly become favorites for everything with a win on Saturday.

But Madrid are too talented and too resilient to be taken for granted. Ever.

Let’s dance the Clásico way.

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