Real Madrid’s Path To Redemption Begins With El Clasico

When nan last whistle sounded connected May 11 astatine nan Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Real Madrid stood pinch their heads successful their hands arsenic Barcelona celebrated their 4th Clásico triumph successful 2024–25, 1 that all-but guaranteed them nan La Liga title.

The 4–3 defeat was yet different stain connected Los Blancos’ mediocre last run nether Carlo Ancelotti. The Spanish giants grounded to take sides their Spanish aliases European crowns, conceded 83 goals and suffered 4 defeats against Barcelona across each competitions.

No Real Madrid squad successful history ever mislaid 4 Clásicos successful a azygous play until 2024–25, erstwhile nan likes of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham were powerless to extremity their arch rivals from delivering embarrassment aft embarrassment.

Hansi Flick’s men bested nan 15-time European champions successful nan Spanish Super Cup final, nan Copa del Rey final and doubly successful La Liga, scoring 16 goals crossed nan 4 matches. Barcelona’s home treble, therefore, each came astatine nan disbursal of Real Madrid.

Much of nan blasted falls connected Los Blancos’ wounded situation that forced earthy midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni to information retired a makeshift defense that simply stood nary chance against 1 of nan champion attacks successful Europe.

There were different glaring weaknesses, though, that weighed down Real Madrid. Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior struggled to build chemistry up top, Rodrygo was successful nan worst shape of his profession and Ancelotti’s midfield desperately missed Toni Kroos.

Yet nary matter what issues plagued Los Blancos, losing 4 matches to Barcelona successful a azygous run was an unacceptable tally of form, 1 that requires a monolithic consequence successful 2025–26.

Real Madrid person gotten disconnected to a awesome commencement this season. / Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Such a lackluster run yet costs Ancelotti his job. The winningest head successful nine history bid farewell to nan Spanish superior successful May, opening nan doorway for Xabi Alonso.

The erstwhile Bayer Leverkusen leader took complete nan biggest nine successful nan world pinch nan unit of righting past season’s wrongs. After a trial-by-fire baptism astatine nan FIFA Club World Cup, Alonso has calmly settled into his caller role, starring Real Madrid to 11 victories successful 12 matches successful 2025–26.

The squad is nan astir defensively sound it has been successful years acknowledgment to nan arrivals of Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Álvaro Carreras, arsenic good arsenic nan return of Éder Militão from injury. Tchouaméni, meanwhile, is successful nan champion shape of his career, bringing immoderate much-needed stableness to Los Blancos’ midfield.

Plus, Arda Güler’s expanded domiciled has allowed Alonso’s onslaught to flourish, pinch Mbappé already bagging 15 goals successful 12 appearances. Vinícius Júnior erstwhile again looks unstoppable arsenic well, boasting 10 extremity contributions crossed each competitions.

Real Madrid are a caller and improved side, but their early occurrence will mean thing unless they put each nan pieces together to hit Barcelona.

Alonso Must Eradicate Past Demons

Xabi Alonso faces his biggest trial against Barcelona. / Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Perhaps much truthful than immoderate of nan players, nan unit is connected Alonso to present successful his first Clásico successful charge. As Ancelotti’s successor, nan 43-year-old has near-impossible shoes to capable connected nan touchline, particularly coming aft past season’s woes against nan Catalans.

The weight connected Alonso’s shoulders is moreover greater successful nan look of his 2 failures since his move backmost to nan Spanish capital. In Real Madrid’s 2 biggest clashes nether nan Spaniard, they suffered embarrassing defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid.

Two losses would person been bad enough, but questionable tactical decisions from Alonso successful each lucifer overgarment a worrying picture. Against PSG, nan head rolled retired a head-scratching beforehand 3 of Mbappé, Gonzalo García and Vinícius Júnior connected nan correct wing.

Then, successful his first Madrid derby connected nan touchline, Alonso threw a recently-recovered Bellingham into his XI and near Franco Mastantuono connected nan bench, shifting nan equilibrium of his onslaught without overmuch success.

There is small leeway for Alonso travel Sunday afternoon. Should nan head make different bad call, he risks a 3rd conclusion successful his 3rd large trial arsenic Real Madrid’s boss.

Jude Bellingham’s return from wounded completes Alonso’s new-look Real Madrid. / Photo Agency/Getty Images

It’s alternatively absurd to declare a lucifer successful October will determine nan play for either Real Madrid aliases Barcelona. Yet, El Clásico conscionable mightiness beryllium nan infinitesimal for Real Madrid to reestablish themselves arsenic a powerhouse.

While nan club’s bequest is not successful question, its expertise to scope nan heights erstwhile achieved conscionable a fewer years agone is. Going without a awesome trophy past play laced holes successful Los Blancos’ antecedently impenetrable armor, only worsened by their shocking Madrid derby defeat.

Three points against Barcelona will not abruptly heal past season’s wounds aliases catapult Real Madrid to silverware, but it could beryllium nan connection triumph this squad desperately needs to get backmost to championship-winning form.

True redemption for Real Madrid will only extremity pinch reclaiming nan La Liga crown from their arch rivals, and they tin return nan first measurement to dethroning Barcelona successful Spanish football’s biggest lucifer connected Sunday afternoon.

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