Overview
- The Bernabéu hosts the first Clásico of the season on Sunday, the follow‑up to Barcelona’s four wins from four in last year’s meetings across league, cup and Supercopa.
- Madrid lead LaLiga with 24 points to Barcelona’s 22 after nine rounds, so a home victory would widen the gap and an away win would send Barça top.
- Kylian Mbappé said the team is “ready” for the match and arrives with 15 goals in 12 games this season, having scored 11 times in eight career outings against Barcelona for PSG and Madrid.
- Lamine Yamal’s Kings League remark that Madrid “steal and complain” fueled pre‑match friction, and Xabi Alonso declined to engage, stressing that “the important thing is the pitch.”
- Sorg called the contest “50–50” and signaled an aggressive press, ruling out Raphinha for injury as fitness calls on Jules Koundé and Ferran Torres are assessed.