Real Madrid and Barcelona are gearing up for their first El Clasico clash of the 2024/25 season, set for Saturday at Santiago Bernabeu. Ahead of this iconic showdown, Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong has praised Real Madrid’s star forward, Vinicius Jr., calling him a “world-class” player.
In a pre-match interview with beIN SPORTS, De Jong emphasized Vinicius’ exceptional form and how Barcelona will need a united defensive effort to counter his impact. “He’s a fantastic player with high quality. We’ll need to stop him as a team,” stated De Jong, acknowledging Vinicius’ impressive performances, especially after his recent hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Despite some inconsistent results this season, Real Madrid remains a potent threat. De Jong added, “They’re one of the best teams in the world. We’re also doing well, so it’ll be an exciting match.”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti may lean on veteran Luka Modric for this high-stakes encounter. Known for his experience and control on the ball, Modric could provide stability in midfield, working alongside Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde to balance Real Madrid’s attack and defense.
As the battle looms, Barcelona’s high-energy pressing under Hansi Flick poses a fresh challenge, while Real Madrid hopes to extend their recent success against their fierce rivals.
This Sunday, attention will turn to the eagerly awaited El Clasico, with reports from Manu de Juan in AS suggesting that Luka Modric is likely to start.
Real Madrid heads into the match with mixed feelings, having faced both highs and lows in their recent games. However, playing at home in such a crucial fixture often provides them with an advantage, particularly given their recent success against Barcelona.
Madrid has won the last four encounters with Barcelona, three of which occurred last season, showcasing a range of performances and results.
Facing a different Barcelona
This season, Barcelona looks revitalized under Hansi Flick, with new tactics transforming them into a strong pressing unit.
While this style offers advantages, it also presents challenges. Real Madrid can’t rely solely on star forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. to drive the attack; they need a steady, experienced presence on the pitch who can read the game, anticipate threats, and navigate tight spaces creatively.
Modric perfectly fits this role. His ability to dictate play and maintain possession will be vital for Madrid in this matchup.
Tactical adjustments
Flick is expected to devise a specific strategy to counter the threats posed by Vinicius and Mbappe, with the team’s success largely hinging on their ability to control possession. This makes Modric’s potential inclusion in the starting lineup crucial. He is likely to be joined by Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde in midfield, while Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni will compete for the remaining spot.
If Camavinga is selected for midfield, Ancelotti may opt to use Tchouameni in a defensive capacity, potentially as a center-back. This would enable Eder Militao to move to full-back, providing extra coverage against Raphinha’s pace on the wing.
Overall, the blend of Modric’s experience, Bellingham’s creativity, and Valverde’s energy will be vital for Real Madrid as they aim to continue their recent dominance in this iconic fixture.
