The stakes are high as Real Madrid and Barcelona prepare to meet once again in a crucial El Clásico clash on Saturday night.
Amid controversy surrounding their recent battles with referees, Real Madrid are looking to salvage their season by chasing silverware, while Barcelona continue their dominant form in 2025.
This encounter will mark the third of four meetings between the two giants this season.
So far, Barcelona have thoroughly outclassed Madrid, winning 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu in LaLiga and claiming a 5-2 victory in the Supercopa final in Saudi Arabia.
The two sides are also set to meet again in just over two weeks, in a match that could potentially decide the LaLiga title.
Real Madrid come into this clash following a gut-wrenching 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals.
However, they have steadied themselves domestically, winning their last three LaLiga games, albeit in unconvincing fashion, with each win coming by a single goal margin.
Recent victories over Athletic Club and Getafe have shown signs of improvement, but Madrid still look like a team laboring for rhythm.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have shown resilience despite losing their star striker Robert Lewandowski to injury.
Apart from a Champions League loss to Borussia Dortmund, a tie they still managed to win overall, Barcelona remain unbeaten in 2025.
Their recent form mirrors Madrid’s in some ways, with narrow wins over Leganés (1-0), Celta Vigo (4-3), and Mallorca (1-0) showcasing their ability to grind out results when necessary.
As both sides gear up for another chapter in their historic rivalry, all eyes will be on whether Real Madrid can finally respond, or if Barcelona will continue their dominance this season.
Kickoff is set for Saturday night in what promises to be another fiercely contested El Clásico.
