El Clasico: Why Barcelona Are Favorites Over Real Madrid
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: As we gear up for the latest edition of El Clasico, there’s a palpable buzz around Barcelona’s remarkable form this season. With Robert Lewandowski leading the line and promising young talents like Lamine Yamal making waves, Barcelona’s attacking prowess has been nothing short of sensational.
In contrast, Real Madrid, despite their historical dominance, appear to be struggling to find their rhythm. Let’s delve into why Barcelona have emerged as the favorites in this high-stakes clash.
Barcelona’s Unmatched Goal-Scoring Ability
Through the first ten matches of the season, Barcelona has scored a staggering 33 goals, leading all of Europe. This explosive attack stands in stark contrast to Madrid’s more pedestrian goal-scoring, as they have only managed to score more than two goals in a game twice this season.
While Madrid may boast a star-studded lineup with players like Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé, it’s Barcelona’s efficiency in front of goal that sets them apart.
Tactical Shift with Hansi Flick
The arrival of Hansi Flick as Barcelona’s manager has proven transformative. Flick, who previously led Bayern Munich to a Champions League triumph, has instilled a more aggressive and dynamic playing style.
Under his leadership, Barcelona press harder, maintain better possession, and take more shots on goal while conceding fewer attempts. This tactical shift has allowed Barcelona to control games more effectively, turning matches into showcases of their attacking talent.
Flick’s style is aggressive; his teams are built to create numerous scoring opportunities. Even though this approach may leave them vulnerable defensively—conceding an average xG of 0.12 per shot—Barcelona’s ability to dominate possession (joint-fewest shots conceded at 8.5 per game) has kept them competitive.
Healthier Squad and Emerging Talents
Another key factor in Barcelona’s success is the availability of their top players. Many stars, including Raphinha and Pedri, struggled with injuries last season, but they are now fit and playing significant minutes.
Additionally, the young brigade is maturing, with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal playing a crucial role in the attack. His development, alongside veterans like Lewandowski, has created a perfect blend of experience and youthful energy.
Real Madrid’s Struggles in Attack
Despite being only three points behind Barcelona and still undefeated, Real Madrid’s form has raised concerns. Their expected-goal differentials indicate a decline compared to last season.
Stripping out penalties, their non-penalty xG has dropped from 1.7 to 1.4 per game. This indicates a troubling trend where Madrid’s prolific attackers are underperforming. Even star players like Mbappé, Vinícius, and Rodrygo are on track for career-worst seasons in terms of xG and assists.
Madrid’s struggle to create high-quality chances can be attributed to the absence of a playmaker of Toni Kroos’s caliber. This gap has resulted in a lack of creativity and effective passing that hinders their attacking flow.
Barcelona’s Front Three: A Class Apart
Ultimately, Barcelona’s attacking trio of Lewandowski, Yamal, and a reinvigorated Raphinha creates a synergy that is hard to match. Lewandowski, even at 35, continues to demonstrate his striking prowess, averaging 1.2 xG+xA per 90 minutes—an exceptional figure that dwarfs even Mbappé’s output.
Yamal’s ability to stretch defenses and Raphinha’s pace complement Lewandowski’s finishing, creating a multifaceted attack that is a nightmare for any defense.
As El Clasico approaches, Barcelona’s blend of tactical prowess, attacking efficiency, and squad health makes them the favorites against Real Madrid.
While the latter can never be underestimated, their current struggles, especially in attack, provide Barcelona with an opportunity to assert their dominance in this historic rivalry. The match promises to be an exhilarating clash, showcasing the very best of La Liga football.
