Next Sunday, Real Madrid will travel to Montjuïc to face Barça as part of Matchday 35 of La Liga. Before this final Clásico, some good news has emerged for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Having been beaten by the same team, Barça, in the first leg of La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup final, and the Copa del Rey final, Real Madrid will have one last chance to get their revenge this Sunday. For this crucial Matchday 35 clash, the Madrid side will take on the Catalans on their home turf at Montjuïc. Ahead of this decisive Clásico in the race for the 2024–25 La Liga title, Carlo Ancelotti and his players can take comfort in the latest developments from the Catalan camp.
The psychological blow of Barça’s defeat to Inter
Almost unbeatable this year, FC Barcelona have just suffered a painful Champions League defeat. Up against Inter Milan in the semi-finals of the competition, Hansi Flick’s side, who were chasing a treble, were knocked out 7–6 on aggregate. Very close to pulling off a historic comeback against the Nerazzurri yesterday, Tuesday — turning a 2–0 deficit in the first half into a 3–2 lead by the end of regular time — Ronald Araújo and his teammates were pegged back in stoppage time (3–3), before losing it all in extra time.
Just after the Copa del Rey final, Lamine Yamal had claimed that no matter how many goals his team conceded this season, they would finish as winners. Things turned out differently against Inter. With just days to go before the clash with Real Madrid, this bitter defeat — particularly given some controversial refereeing decisions — could take a mental toll on the Catalans. For Madrid, it’s very good news.
The physical exhaustion of the Catalans
Another reason for optimism for Real Madrid ahead of the 11 May clash is the physical condition of the Catalan players. While they’ve been resting since their last La Liga match (against Celta Vigo) on Sunday, the Madrid team have watched their next opponents play a gruelling 120-minute match. Considering the intensity of the encounter with Inter Milan, there’s no doubt that Barcelona will arrive at the stadium far less fresh physically this coming Sunday.
If Carlo Ancelotti makes the right choices and can rally his squad as effectively as Hansi Flick, Real Madrid will have every chance of winning. Yesterday, the Catalan defence proved they are vulnerable. Having conceded seven goals in two matches, Barça’s back line will approach the game with fear in their hearts against Madrid’s attackers. If they are sharp and committed to the task — like Inter’s players were — Carlo Ancelotti’s men should have no trouble beating Barça next Sunday.
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