Real Madrid were due to travel to Camp Nou on Sunday to face Barcelona in El Clásico. Madrid were six points behind Barcelona in La Liga, and the first meeting between the sides in 2026–27 came with extra pressure.
Madrid's recent form
Real Madrid's most recent domestic triumph was a 4–1 win over Sevilla on Sunday. Yan Diomande took the place of the suspended Vinícius Júnior on the left wing against Sevilla, Arda Güler played a deeper role in midfield, and Federico Valverde commanded the right flank.
SI said Real Madrid had made it four victories in four games following the November international break.
Dallolio on Madrid
“That was the best performance from Madrid this season,” Luca Dallolio said on the latest episode of the Sports Illustrated Football Club Show.
“That is the perfect time to hit that form, going into that Barça game.”
“I really feel like this is the best team, the best XI, we’ve seen of Real Madrid this season, by far,” Dallolio said.
“They seem like the most cohesive side, they seem like they’re all on the same page.”
Barcelona's league start
Barcelona had 27 points from their first nine La Liga matches of 2026–27. In domestic action this season, they had scored 39 goals on home soil and conceded nine.
SI described Barcelona's start to their 2026–27 La Liga campaign as faultless and said they had done that without a natural center forward leading the line.
Bouzidi on Lamine Yamal
“It’s becoming a bit frightening, because what can’t he do?” Lyes Bouzidi said of the teenage phenom.
“What can’t he do? He’s unstoppable one-v-one. He can find a pass out of nothing, and now he’s curling it from 30 yards out after taking a man on the dribble.”
“How do you stop a guy like that? When he’s playing at this level, how do you stop Lamine Yamal?”