Real Madrid - Barcelona: a classic, two states of mind

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Lewandowski, against Tchouameni, Lucas Vázquez and Militão in the preseason classic in Las Vegas. Maciek Gudrymowicz/ISI Photos (Getty Images)

The first big shock in the League appears under the October sun, very conditioned by the consequences of the last European session.

While Madrid took advantage of the benefits of their group to quickly close the pass to the round of 16, Barcelona —with much more difficult rivals— was left in a very precarious position, at the expense of third-party results that seem unlikely to avoid being eliminated of the Champions for the second consecutive year before Christmas.

Equal on points in the domestic tournament, the different realities of both teams on the continent therefore condition the first direct crossing of the official course (16.15, Dazn).

The duel urges, above all, the azulgrana, leaders by goal difference with respect to the whites but faced with the first existential doubts of the season after their disappointment against Inter.

As soon as autumn started, the last appearance of Xavi Hernández served to claim "calm, patience" and confidence in his project.

“We are still under construction.

The situation can still be reversed, I am optimistic.

I won't be a problem the day I see that I'm not a solution”, affirmed the culé coach with a calm gesture and serious words.

The threat of a new fall to the Europa League after the institutional commitment to economic levers to obtain sports results as soon as possible has put the entire club on alert.

Xavi asks for calm and confidence in a project still “under construction”

Few things turn Barça on more than a visit to the Bernabéu and nothing needs more now than a convincing performance against their nemesis, like last year (0-4).

“It can serve as a reference.

Have personality, long possessions in the opposite field and attack in a compact way”, asked Xavi this Saturday, who once again has Koundé in defense, absent in the last four games (he keeps Araujo out).

That April win at Chamartín revived the Catalans and now they are chasing another blow.

Madrid has not had much game left so far this campaign, less fine in the areas and orphaned in addition to Courtois for this classic;

however, it feels like a made and curdled team that knows the way to victory.

When Carlo Ancelotti was asked this Saturday about the latest precedent, that 0-4 and his failed decision to place Modric as a false nine —which caused multi-organ failure—, the Italian pulled humor at the laughter in the room.

“I don't want to invent, in football everything is invented.

Last year I tried it and they gave me a stick, ”he admitted with a smile and raised eyebrow.

The environmental difference between both sets was evident in the previous one, although there are few things more weather vanes than football.

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The classic is for Lunin, the shy goalkeeper who doesn't rest

From the outset, Madrid faces the match without Courtois' network, who did not recover from the sciatica attack, and will play it against the unknown Andriy Lunin, a silent guy on and off the field who has not been seen in another like it ( He has barely played nine games in three courses as a white).

Rüdiger will also be available (with a mask) despite the 20 stitches on his face that he took in the draw against Shakhtar.

On the other side, Ter Stegen's numbers symbolize Barça's duality this season: he has only conceded one goal in eight league games (he has saved 19 of the 20 shots on goal received) compared to the seven conceded in the four games in Champions.

A gap that, above all, refers to collective problems when the European anthem sounds.

"It is difficult to explain.

In addition to the merits of the rival,

Lewandowski adds half of the Catalan goals;

Benzema has only four

Pound for pound, the afternoon will focus on Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema.

The first, debuting in a classic, feels that they owe him a Ballon d'Or (the 2020 edition was suspended due to the pandemic and Messi won it in 2021), while the second will most likely receive it this Monday.

The Pole has half of the Barça goals in all competitions (14 of 28; the best percentage of his career), while the Frenchman —injured in September— has lost his way (accumulating four).

“I don't sign to win as it is”, proclaimed Xavi Hernández.

A little earlier, Ancelotti once again marked distances with the culé orthodoxy, one of his favorite genres every time he crosses paths with Barça.

“They have followed a style and I respect it.

I am not saying that it is not correct, it is an idea that has given them success.

For me, having a single style is not the most appropriate because sometimes the players change”, said the Italian, who tried to downplay the event.

“It is not a game of life or death, just special.

The season is long,” he warned.

In Barcelona, ​​yes, they face the afternoon with more needs.

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