Three reasons why Barcelona are the favourites going into El Clasico vs Real Madrid

As Barcelona gear up to face Real Madrid in the season’s first El Clasico, they appear in formidable form and ready to capitalize on their early-season momentum.

Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Barcelona have finally found their rhythm. Additionally, they are also demonstrating the kind of depth and versatility that has been missing in recent years.

Here, at Barça Universal, we will take a look at three key reasons why Barcelona enter this clash as clear favourites.

Confidence & momentum

Barcelona’s start to the season has been stellar, winning nine out of their 10 league matches and recently stunning Bayern Munich 4-1 in the Champions League.

This winning streak has fueled an extraordinary level of confidence within the squad, which is crucial heading into the fiercely contested El Clasico.

Hansi Flick’s attacking philosophy has transformed Barcelona into one of Europe’s most lethal sides, with a goal-scoring trident that combines experience with youthful energy.

Robert Lewandowski’s goalscoring prowess, Raphinha’s productivity and the magic of Lamine Yamal have produced a potent frontline that has terrorised opposition defences.

With Lewandowski leading from the front, Barcelona’s attack has enjoyed free-scoring spells, which could spell trouble for Real Madrid this weekend.

Barcelona’s defensive improvements also play a significant role in their success. Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi have developed a strong central defensive pairing that ensures Barcelona can press high up the pitch without sacrificing solidity at the back.

Their consistency allows the team to remain organised and resilient, which could be crucial against a team like Real Madrid.

Adding to this, youthful talents like Pedri, Marc Casado, Alejandro Balde and Yamal contribute an exuberance that has energised Barcelona’s overall play and could ideally counteract the Real Madrid war machine.

Real Madrid’s injury woes

Injuries have plagued Real Madrid’s squad this season, and their timing couldn’t be worse. Although Madrid’s frontline of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. can be the most lethal in Europe on paper, their absences elsewhere are likely to expose key vulnerabilities.

The injury list includes influential players like Dani Carvajal, who is a vital part of their defensive unit, while Thibaut Courtois has also been sidelined just days before El Clasico. Meanwhile, star forward Rodrygo is also out.

Additionally, David Alaba’s absence leaves a significant void in the backline, weakening Real Madrid’s defensive foundation and making it more challenging to handle Barcelona’s multi-faceted attack.

The absence of Carvajal will be particularly concerning for Real Madrid, as it leaves their right flank more susceptible to Barcelona’s attacking onslaught.

In all likelihood, Lucas Vazquez will continue at right-back, a position that has not always showcased his defensive strengths. Given his tendency to push forward, the Spaniard may leave spaces behind, which could be easily exploited by Raphinha.

Even the absence of a seasoned goalkeeper like Courtois could be a massive blow, though Real Madrid retain full faith in Andriy Lunin.

The impact of Hansi Flick

Barcelona’s resurgence under Hansi Flick has been nothing short of remarkable. Flick’s arrival has brought an injection of belief, discipline and a winning mentality to a team that has often struggled with consistency in recent years.

Barcelona’s 4-1 victory over Bayern was a clear demonstration of the confidence and cohesion Flick has instilled, proving that the team can compete and win against Europe’s best.

Flick’s experience in high-stakes matches has instilled a new character and resilience in the squad, which could be key in taking on Real Madrid, who have proven in the past that they can win matches without playing well.

In previous seasons, Barcelona struggled to hold their shape when faced with sustained pressure, often leaving themselves open to counterattacks.

Under Flick, however, the team has shown an ability to stay composed, adapt to different in-game scenarios and find ways to regain control.

These qualities could go a long way in improving Barcelona’s chances as they look to further consolidate their position at the top of the league table and firmly establish themselves as the favourite to seal the league title this season.