Every league has those indelible clashes that almost transcend the sport (think the sectarian-based enmity of Rangers-Celtic, or the class struggle underpinning the Boca Juniors-River Plate rivalry).
But when you mention intense footballing rivalries, most people instinctively envisage the enduring legacy of El Clasico. Powered by political schisms related to the Catalan independence movement, the fierce rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona has essentially become a bellwether of the strength and depth of European football. The two biggest clubs in the world will meet in a few weeks’ time, looking to gain early supremacy in this year’s La Liga race.
Barca’s psychological edge
When you think of Hansi Flick’s 2024/2025 title-winning side, your mind is inexorably drawn to Barcelona’s awe-inspiring dominance of the Clasico clashes. The Blaugrana ran riot in the four meetings, gaining a psychological supremacy that even the most ardent Los Blancos fans can’t deny. Real Madrid currently lead Barca by two points but troubles are brewing for Flick’s defending champs. The Catalan giants are experiencing a major injury crisis that is teetering on the brink of absurdity.
One blow after another
There is a sense of irony in Barca’s current situation, as most onlookers thought their absence from the revamped FIFA Club World Club would give them a leg up going into this season. The chaos began on August 30th, when midfield lynchpin Gavi was laid low by a knee issue that will keep him out till the new year. That precipitated a domino effect, with Alejandro Balde and talismanic forward Lamine Yamal picking up knocks in the following games. Yamal is the creative nexus of the side and has been sorely missed (especially in that Champions League loss to PSG). The hits just kept on coming for Barca, with Fermin Lopez suffering a muscle strain against Getafe.
The Oviedo clash was when things really started to feel a bit spooky, like some Real Madrid-obsessed Shaman was up to no good. Two players went down in that match, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia (already deputizing for an injured Ter Stegen) and influential winger Raphinha dealt injury blows. The recent international break only deepened the quagmire, with Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres dealing with varying degrees of physical distress. Phew! That legitimately felt like recounting the injury woes of an entire season.
Size does matter
Critics have pointed to Barca’s relatively small 22-man squad as a source of the underlying issues. Mimicking the Pep Guardiola approach to squad maintenance, Flick regularly includes members of the La Masia youth squad on the bench to spruce up numbers. Not only is the squad relatively tight; it’s also extremely young. Young players are vulnerable to muscle strains (a fact only exacerbated by the size of the squad). There is a weird long-term plus in all these injury issues, with La Masia graduates constantly being blooded and prepared for the vagaries of high-end football.
Some good news
There is a ray of hope for Barca ahead of that upcoming trip to the Santiago Bernabeau. Yamal, Fermin and Torres look like they are going to be fit enough to make the matchday squad against Girona this coming weekend. They may take some time to get back up to full fitness but home matches against Girona and Olmpiacos could be just what the doctor ordered (maybe they have had enough of doctors, actually). Still, it appears that Raphinha, Lewandowski, Garcia and Olmo are all doubtful for that crunch Clasico clash. Those injuries- added to the various long-term absentees- will give Xabi Alonso a huge boost as he prepares for his first Clasico as Real manager.
