Saturday’s El Clasico may well be the most hyped one after the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo era, and for good reason. After all, both teams have their own identity and success stories heading into the clash and it is difficult to pick a favourite.
Given the recent run of form, however, Barcelona may well edge Real Madrid as the ever-so-slight favourites for they have been near-unbeatable this term with their best lineup on the field.
If there is any team in Europe that can put brakes on their progress and break their momentum, however, it is Real Madrid for the Merengues have many factors playing in their favour ahead of the game.
Madrid Universal brings you three reasons Real Madrid can stop Barcelona’s juggernaut tomorrow night.
A high-line to pounce on
While Hansi Flick’s Barcelona has indeed been imperious in the final third, they have not been without their flaws. The German tactician’s system in Catalonia is based around a high defensive line, one that plays practically on the halfway line when in possession.
Barcelona have negated its effects by adopting a high-pressure system off the ball, ensuring that opponents do not have the time to capitalise on the spaces behind the defence.
However, that tactic is unlikely to work against well-drilled elite opposition and the opening stages of the game against Bayern Munich testified the same.
Having the pace of Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe in their ranks, Real Madrid are built to exploit such weaknesses and Flick’s tactics may thus play into Los Blancos’ hands tomorrow.
The manager’s faith in young Inaki Pena who has been largely shaky in goal is another factor that will help them ensure that any chance is aptly punished.
Momentum to ride on
The biggest complaint around Real Madrid this season has been around the fashion of their victories for they have seldom, if ever, been dominant.
That, however, changed against Borussia Dortmund earlier this week. After going down by two goals early on in the game, the men in white switched on their engine and did not look back from that point.
What unfolded in the second half was pure dominance and a top-notch performance from Real Madrid who piled on attack after attack and scored a stunning five goals. While indeed the game brought home three points, it also brought much-needed momentum.
The Merengues thus head into El Clasico in the best possible shape and at the highest point of their season so far and the momentum could take them all the way.
Mentality monsters
The biggest factor playing in Real Madrid’s favour ahead of the Clasico, needless to say, is the elite mentality this team continues to maintain as they always have in recent years.
Coming back from 2-0 down to 5-2 up is not everyone’s cup of tea, and there is a reason Real Madrid finds ways to win with the odds against them time and time again.
Los Blancos are drilled with the mentality of the highest order and require just a matter of minutes to turn games around with their class. That will be more important than ever tomorrow.
Irrespective of the start Barcelona enjoy or the dynamic of the game, the Merengues’ know deep inside that they are never out of the game and their elite mentality may well be all they need to coast clear of the league leaders.