- Real Madrid keeper Courtois ruled out of Clásico
- Defender Rüdiger OK for clash, Ancelotti confirms
- Barcelona's Koundé "100%" fit to play at the Bernabéu, Xavi says
- Barça to wear limited edition shirt in El Clásico
- Benzema edges past César, now in sight of Di Stéfano
- Why is it called El Clásico?
- Who has the most wins in El Clásico, Madrid or Barça?
How many times has Barcelona won against Real Madrid without Messi?
Why are Real Madrid known as the ‘Vikings’?
Why are Barcelona fans called “Culés”?
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: which players have the highest salaries?
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: who has most wins in El Clásico?
El Clásico: A historic tale
Real Madrid’s anthem: how many do they have? song, lyrics and meaning
Luis Figo on Real Madrid, Barcelona and talks with Liverpool
Barcelona have confirmed their squad for the Clásico. As previously announced by Xavi, Jule Koundé returns to the Catalans' matchday group.
What will be Real Madrid’s starting XI in El Clásico?
How will Real Madrid line up at the Bernabéu tomorrow? Kieran Quaile takes a look at Carlo Ancelotti's likely starting XI against Barcelona.
The Barcelona players are currently going through their paces for the last time before Sunday's Clásico. Training got underway at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper at around 4pm CEST (10am ET). Barça are scheduled to fly to Madrid after the session is over.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: El Clásico full of young talent
AS journalists Marco Ruiz and Santi Giménez take a look at the wealth of young talent that'll be on display at the Bernabéu on Sunday.
Xavi press conference comes to an end
That's all from Xavi, who now goes off to prepare for Barcelona's final pre-Clásico training session at 4pm CEST (10am ET).
Among the key take-homes from that press conference is the Barça boss' confirmation that defender Jules Koundé is "100%" fit to play at the Bernabéu tomorrow, having overcome a hamstring injury.
"We want is to come out of Clásico as leaders"
“What we want is to come out of the game as leaders. It’s a different competition and we want to carry on in the same vein.”
"We have players who have a great shot on them"
Shooting more from outside the box:
“There is one [an order to shoot more], but not because Courtois won’t be there. We have players who have a great shot on them.”
"No mental issue in Champions League"
Does the team suffer from a mental block in Europe?
“I don’t think so. We drew the game; if there were a mental issue, we wouldn’t have done that. The players take a lot of pride in their work. They look committed and have plenty of spirit and courage, which is what allowed us to believe right to the end [against Inter]. A lot of circumstances came together, but comparing with last season, the feelings are very different. I feel positive and we’ll continue to grow.”
"I’m most worried about Madrid as a unit"
No Ronald Araújo in the Barcelona defence:
“We don’t have Araújo this time; he did very well to rein in Vinícius last season. But I see this more as a collective job than an individual one. Last year we managed to stop Vinícius from settling. But I’m most worried about Madrid as a unit.”
"I understand how the Barça fans feel"
Barcelona supporters' doubts about Xavi:
"I understand the doubts; I know where I am. We couldn’t afford to slip up in midweek, and we did. I understand how the Barça fans feel. I’m also disappointed and sad. I came here to turn the team around and we can manage that. If I ever feel I’m not capable of doing that, I’ll sit down here and I’ll say so."
"I really like playing Madrid"
Does the Clásico 'turn you on'?
“I don’t know if it’d be true to say it turns me on [laughs]. But I really like playing Madrid, I’m very competitive. I’d like to still be a player to be out there on the pitch for these types of games. This is where you have to stand up and be counted; as a coach, too. Everyone watches the Clásico and everyone’s up for it.”
"This year’s Champions League has been cruel to us"
Conversation with Barça president Laporta:
“I conveyed total confidence to me. We’ve stood up to be counted in every game in Europe. The president is also very optimistic. The result the other day is a shame, as are the results in Milan and Munich. This year’s Champions League has been cruel to us. But we’re progressing well.”
"I’m a natural optimist"
“That’s the way I am; I’m a natural optimist. We’ve improved since last season. In LaLiga we’re going well, we haven’t lost a game yet. The season we’re having makes me believe I have reason to remain optimistic.
"It’s not just Vinícius that we have to stop"
Plan to stop Vinícius:
"Marcos Alonso has also played at centre-back and tomorrow we’ll make a decision. But it’s not just Vinícius that we have to stop. It’s also Benzeama, Rodrygo, Valverde… They’re a competitive team who get the best out of their players. It’s a huge game. It’s not about how we stop Vinícius; it’s about how we stop Madrid.”
“Individual mistakes have a big role to play"
Difference between European, domestic defensive records:
“Individual mistakes have a big role to play. In LaLiga, we’ve done very well in that respect. Tomorrow is an important test to show that we’re in good nick.”
"I don’t believe in any other path to success"
“We’re disappointed, too. But we have to keep going. The team are committed and it’s still early days. It’s a long league season, and there’s the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, too. I don’t believe in any other path to success than the one we’re following.”
"Busquets remains important"
“He’s important, Busquets. We didn’t have the best second half the other day [against Inter] as team, but he remains important for the team, for the group. Undroppable? Everyone is important. Busquets has to be ready to play at all times, like everyone.”
"You forget about what happened in the last game"
Form book out of the window:
"Of the games we play, it's the one where the previous game is least important. You forget about what happened in the last game: I’ve experienced that as a player."
"Koundé's at 100%"
"He’s fine. He’s at 100%. He feels very good physically. He’s trained very well. So he’s available."
"Winning Clásico would have significant impact on morale"
Impact on morale of winning Clásico:
“The impact on morale if we come out of a game like this with a good result would be significant. But it’s still early [in the project]. We’re still building. The European result is sad and we’re annoyed about it. But we need to keep going. We’re doing much in better in the league than last year.
Xavi: "We need to be brave"
Last season’s win over Barcelona at the Bernabéu:
"It could be a reference point for us, yes. We need to play as a unit. We need to be compact. We need to be brave and show personality. The proof of [what you can achieve if you do that] is very clear: last year’s game."
Xavi press conference coming up
Xavi's pre-match press conference is due to start shortly; we'll have the key quotes from the Barcelona boss, who is expected to appear before the media at 2:30pm CEST (8:30am ET).
Barça are then scheduled to hold their final pre-Clásico training session at around 4pm CEST (10am ET), before travelling to Madrid at 7pm CEST (1pm ET).
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: date, how to watch Clásico online and on TV
Here's William Allen with more vital El Clásico information such as who will be refereeing the game, the outcome of the five most recent encounters and how to follow the game on TV and online.
Real Madrid's squad list for El Clasico
As Carlo Ancelotti confirmed in this afternoon's press conference, Thibaut Courtois will play no part in tomorrow's game. The Madrid coach included three goalkeepers in his 23-man squad - Andriy Lunin, who is expected to start, together with Castilla's Luis López and Lucas Cañizares (son of former Madrid, Valencia and Spain goalkeeper Santiago).
Apart from that, there were no other big surprises in the list - Dani Ceballos remains out while Mariano, who has played a total of 10 minutes this season - coming on as a late sub in three games (Leipzig, Osasuna and Getafe), has been called up again.
What does Rüdiger bring to the side?
He's very strong in challenges, in both areas. It's not a great surprise that he scored the other night. He's like Militão in that way - he has that quality. What he contributes more than anything else is his mentality, a winning personality - he never stops in training.
Will the Inter game have a bearing on tomorrow's match?
We play very differently to Inter. What Inter showed last week was bravery. They never gave up hope. I don'r think it will have any influence on tomorrow's game.
Barça's style of football
Barça's history tells us everything we need to know. They continue with a style which pleases the fans and the club. That doesn;t mean toi say I think it's the wrong model to follow. It's their idea about football, it's brought them success and continues to do so. Other teams think differently. What I think personally, for me, having just one style isn't ideal. Players change. The main thing is ensuring the players are comfortable with the style they are playing.
He's looked much better this week, he's improved a lot. I am convinced that we will see the Karim we all know and love.
He's been doing really well, he's more consistent than last season and now playing at a very high level. He's got all of the qualities of a great centre-back.
Would defeat hurt Barça more?
I don't know. We have to think about our own game, and trying to win the match. Barcelona have enough resources to enjoy a great season.
Last season's results, an influence on this game
Last season's game won't have any effect on this one. It's a new season, a different competition, another Clásico... we're excited about playing the Clásico - everyone is. We want to give a good acount of ourselves. It's not a game about life or death, it's a special game, but the season is very long. Of course we want to win it. That's why I think we'll enjoy it more.
Barça are not in their best moment, does that worry you?
I have to view them as the team which has won every league game apart from one. They have a very good dynamic. That's what we'll be focusing on. They've been doing well since the season started.
Will you be pulling any surprises tomorrow?
I don't want to start meddling, or start doing new things. I've never experimented.There are no inventors in football. It's not something I want to do. Last season I tried to try out something new and it turned out badly. The team that won in Paris has the mentality I'm looking for - a team that knows exactly what it needs to do out on the pitch in high level games.
When I think of Rodrygo, I think of an extraordinary, energentic player. Last season he did really well coming off the bench. This season, he's been showing that he is also able to play well from the start. He can play in any of the attacking positions.
How is Rüdiger?
He's fine. He only needs to wear the mask to make sure that the wound doesn't reopen. He's excited. He's a warrior.
Courtois is fine, he is feeling much better. He hasn't trained very much over the past couple of weeks and he's not comfortable. He won;t play tomorrow. He will train more regularly next week. We'll see if he's ready to return on Wednesday or next Saturday.
Preparing for El Clásico
We prepare for our games in the same way as we always do. Tomorrow is a match against two great teams. And like every Clásico, it will be a special game, but we have been preparing for it just the same as we do for other games. Obviously there will be the emotional aspects, the pressure...
Carlo Ancelotti has started his press conference, a little earlier than expected
Benzema surpasses César, closing in on Di Stéfano and Raúl
Karim Benzema recently edged past César Rodríguez to become the seventh top goal scorer of all-time in LaLiga. Benzema's current tally stands at 222 league goals and is now within sight of two Real Madrid legends. Next on his list is to equal and surpass Di Stéfano, in sixth place on 227 goals and Raúl in fifth on 228.
Karim is already the second top scorer of all-time at Real Madrid with 327 goals in all competitions. Cristiano Ronaldo remains top with an incredible 450 goals.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: which players have the highest salaries?
They say it takes money to make money and that’s how Real Madrid and Barcelona make sure they attract the top talent in the game. Here's a rundown of the big earners at both clubs
Global kick-off times for El Clásico
Not sure what time El Clásico kicks off? Barcelona have consulted the world clock to make sure wherever you are in the world, you can be tuned in when the ball starts rolling.
Why are Barcelona fans called “Culés”?
Barcelona fans proudly declare themselves Culés but where did the name come from? AS USA gets to the bottom of it...
Find out more about where the term came from here
Luis Figo on Real Madrid, Barcelona and talks with Liverpool
In an interview with Sid Lowe for The Guardian, Luis Figo discussed what it was like to leave Barcelona for Real Madrid.
Read more on what Figo had to say here
Courtois misses Saturday's session; Rüdiger in a mask
Much of the speculation over the past few days was focused on whether Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rüdiger would be fit to start Sunday's game against Barcelona. The goalkeeper, who has spent a couple of weeks with sciatica, a form of back pain, was spotted at Real Madrid City on Friday but wasn't seen out on the practice pitches this morning. That suggests that in all likelihood Andriy Lunin will start tomorrow in what will be the Ukrainian keeper's biggest test since he arrived at the club.
Rüdiger meanwhile was able to train as normal, although wearing a protective mask. The defender required 20 stitches to close a cut to his eye which he sustained in Wednesday's Champions League game after colliding with Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. He should be ok to start Sunday's game, although he'll need to wear his mask.
Apart from Courtois, Dani Ceballos is Ancelotti's only other casualty - the midfielder is still not over a thigh muscle injury and will miss the game.
Hello and welcome to our live blog previewing Sunday's Clásico between Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. We will be bringing you all of the latest developments, team news, injury updates ahead of the 250th competitive edition of what is the biggest game in the Spanish football calendar between two clubs with a long-standing rivalry.
We will also be hearing what both coaches have to say in their respective press conferences live from Valdebebas and the Ciutat Esportiva. This will be Carlo Ancelotti's ninth Clásico and Xavi's fourth. With the two clubs neck and neck in the table - both on 22 points with Barça top on goal difference, there will be plenty to play for, as always.
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