Real Madrid will welcome Barcelona in the first Clasico of the La Liga on October 26, 2025, Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium being live streamed exclusively on SonyLIV at 8:45pm. Both the rival giants have plenty of injury concerns increasing the demand and the curiosity of the match.
Real Madrid will take on the defending champions of La Liga currently leading the table with 2-point lead ahead of Barcelona with an aim of ending Barcelona’s dominance of the last four head-to-head games.
Both the teams are raised in concern in regards with their playing XI. With both sides boosting in performance and consistency, the squad has always been a heated debate. Based on Madrid’s current form, they are mostly favoured in dominating the game.
Speculated comebacks and players benched
Madrid coach Xabi Alonso hopes to have his key players back for the game of eternity. However, there remains a question at stake. Will Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander Arnold play their next match? The two players have been included in multiple training sessions but were not called up against their big match with Juventus.
Dani Carvajal injured his calf during the 5-2 loss against Atletico Madrid on September 27, followed by Trent Alexander’s hamstring injury in the Champions league opener against Marseille. Despite their consistent form, the club does not have any intention of risking their return.
The Argentinian right-back Federico Valverde’s adaptability on the field has been an impeccable advantage, a powerhouse to the team combining his defensive and attacking abilities t help the club lean towards victories. Xabi Alonso hasn’t released an official statement regarding these players in the lineup. Valverde will play right-back considering the injury periods of Carvajal and Trent Alexander.
Eder Militao’s return from his injury has turned him into a wall of defense for Madrid. His pace and physicality have proven to be vital in the lineup. With Antonio Rudiger being benched, Eder Militao takes the spot. Although the 20-year-old Dean Huijsen has certainly impressed the crowd with his performance, the current fitness records Eder Militao to be a more dependable choice.
With no doubts of Kylian Mbappe’s present performance in the recent games, the French striker will lead the team in its upcoming game with Barcelona. Mbappe has proven his record breaking first season with Real Madrid but failed to defeat their biggest rival in their last four games. Even with his electrifying pace and dedication towards the game, Ferran Torres does not even come close to debate.
Barcelona will not be headed with their head coach Hansi Flick present in the dugout for this weekend’s showdown against Real Madrid. This means that Barcelona will play under their assistant coach Marcus Sorg, filling in for Flick. Out of the seven players facing injuries, two players are likely to travel to Bernabéu: Raphinha and Andreas Christensen.
The Brazilian winger is counted on to play the game. “He is a very important player, and we hope to have him back for Sunday.” Hansi Flick commented. Raphinha was injured on Sept 25, in Barca’s 3-1 win against Real Oviedo. Initially the recovery period was set to be alright for now but there have been a few complications in his recovery preventing him from training sessions, although he is expected to travel with the team to Bernabéu.
Robert Lewandoski, Dani Olmo, Ter Stegen and Gavi. Four key players of Barcelona that brought great significance and entertainment to the game are said to be ruled out for their next game. Ter Stegen who suffered a back injury is said to overcome his problem but will not be present on the pitch till 2026. As for the Spanish midfielder, Gavi is said to be recovering from his knee surgery and is speculated to make a presence in the competition in March or April of next year.
Manchester United’s former star player Marcus Rashford’s debut at Barcelona was quite a debate given his stats before joining the club. A controversial pick from Barcelona’s management. The British forward’s performance has been extraordinary lately. While Vinicius Jr. being a global performer, Rashford’s run for the win seems to be at an advantage.
Even though Lamine Yamal’s performance has been off the charts there is still a little debate regarding his lifestyle and maturity. The Spanish winger made quite a name at the age of 16 but fell victim to the horrible influence of stardom. He is one of the brightest stars of the team and this generation of footballers making him highly reliable and dependable for big games.
Also read: Explained: Why La Liga’s Barcelona vs Villarreal Miami Match Plan Failed
Battle for the title
The “El Clasico” match has been played between the best club in the world, Real Madrid and Barcelona since 1902. Across all official league championships like the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey, the two Spanish rivals have faced each other 260 times, Real Madrid: 105 wins. Barcelona: 103 wins. Draws: 52.
Written by: Atin Kevin Fernandez