El Clasico Preview and Review

a. Form From Two Teams

Ahead of the prestige-filled El Clasico match against Real Madrid, Barcelona's dressing room is said to be experiencing cracks. Week 32 of LaLiga 2023-2024 will present a match entitled El Clasico between Real Madrid vs Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu, Sunday (21/4/2024) or Monday morning WIB. Barcelona entered the big duel against arch rivals Real Madrid not in the best moral condition. As is known, Barcelona has just been painfully eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2023-2024 Champions League. Xavi Hernandez's Barca squad lost 1-4 to PSG in the second leg of the 2023-2024 Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday (16/4/2024) yesterday. As a result, Barcelona lost 4-6 on aggregate to the French giant. 

The crushing 1-4 defeat to PSG in the middle of last week is said to have triggered a rift within Barca. After the duel against PSG at Montjuic aka Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barca midfielder, Ilkay Guendogan openly said that the red card received by his colleague, Ronald Araujo, was the cause of the problem. “I prefer to keep what I think. "I have a code of ethics and values ​​that must be respected," said Ronald Araujo responding to Guendogan's thoughts, quoted from Diario As. Diario As then presented an article entitled "Cracks in the Barcelona Dressing Room" on Friday (19/4/2024). The media based in the city of Madrid highlighted the differences in views between Guendogan and Ronald Araujo. 

The issue of cracks in the dressing room is clearly not the best way for Barca to visit the Santiago Bernabeu. However, Guendogan confirmed that nothing serious had happened in the dressing room of the club, aka Blaugrana. The former Borussia Dortmund and Man City player actually said that the dynamic that occurred between him and Ronald Araujo was normal. “The atmosphere is good. The training session went well because we just finished it. We are looking forward," Guendogan told ESPN. "I think that's how the most successful teams in the world grow and develop by communicating, by looking each other in the eye and talking for the good of each person," said Guendogan. LaLiga is now the only event that provides a chance for Barcelona to become champions. The Blaugrana currently occupy second place in the 2023-2024 LaLiga standings with 70 points. They are eight points behind Madrid who dominate the top of the standings. This is quite a distance considering that there are only seven matches remaining in the competition. However, if they win El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu in Week 32, Barca can increase their hopes of overtaking their rivals. 

Meanwhile, in the previous match, Real Madrid drew 1-1 against Manchester City. In this match, Real Madrid was able to take the lead in the 12th minute, scored by Rodrygo. In the 76th minute, Real Madrid had to equalize the score scored by Kevin De Bruyne. The match had to continue to a penalty shootout, as a result Los Blancos won and qualified for the Champions League semifinals. The Real Madrid vs Barcelona duel is predicted to be tough. Both teams have extraordinary quality players. However, Carlo Ancelotti's squad is slightly favored after playing in front of its supporters. 

Predicted Real Madrid Line-up: Andriy Lunin, Lucas Vazquez, Dani Carvajal, Aurelien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes. 

Barcelona: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Joao Cancelo, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gundogan, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha. 

b. Is the result deciding the champions? 

Real Madrid and Barcelona will face off in the latest installment of El Clásico on April 21, 2024, with the match taking place at the Bernabeu stadium. This highly anticipated game has significant implications for the La Liga title race, as Real Madrid currently leads the standings with 78 points, eight points clear of second-placed Barcelona. A victory for Real Madrid would see them move 11 points ahead of their rivals, making it extremely difficult for Barcelona to catch up. 

Barcelona, on the other hand, is in a must-win situation if they want any chance of retaining the La Liga title this season. They have been unbeaten in the league since the end of January, winning eight times since then, including each of their last four matches against Mallorca, Atletico Madrid, Las Palmas, and Cadiz. However, they suffered a 4-1 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, exiting the competition with a 6-4 loss overall. 

Barca vs Madrid in 2023

Real Madrid, fresh from their victory over Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final, will be looking to make it a league double over Barcelona this season. They have the best defensive record in La Liga, having conceded only 20 goals in 31 matches. Barcelona, on the other hand, have the second-best away record in La Liga, picking up 33 points from 15 matches, remaining unbeaten in the process. 

The match will also feature a tactical battle between two of the best teams in Spain. Real Madrid has been using a two-man backline in possession, creating a diamond in midfield, and ensuring numerical superiority in both phases of play. Barcelona, on the other hand, has been utilizing a system that mostly utilizes a two-man backline in possession, creating a diamond in midfield, and improving their rest defense. Key players to watch out for include Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, who is a minor doubt due to a muscle injury, and Dani Carvajal, who is also a minor doubt due to cramp. Barcelona will be without Thibaut Courtois, who is out with a knee injury, and David Alaba, who is also out with a knee injury. 

Barca vs Madrid during pre season back in 2023

Injuries and suspensions have been a concern for both teams. Real Madrid will be without Thibaut Courtois, who is out with a knee injury, and David Alaba, who is also out with a knee injury. Vinicius Junior and Dani Carvajal are minor doubts due to muscle and cramp injuries, respectively. Barcelona, on the other hand, will be without Marcos Alonso, who is injured for this match. In conclusion, the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match on April 21, 2024, is a crucial one for both teams, with significant implications for the La Liga title race. Fans and football enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating this clash, which promises to be an exciting and tactically intriguing contest.