Thibaut Courtois claimed that Real Madrid are "expecting a victory" in El Clasico as Barcelona prepare for their biggest test in a bid to retain the La Liga crown. Los Blancos have had a smooth sailing so far this campaign, but there remains a blot, a significant one. Their scars from their 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Atletico Madrid last month still sting like an open wound.
Madrid's fragile recovery before the storm
After the derby loss, tempers reportedly flared. Senior players questioned the younger members’ professionalism and preparation. Manager Xabi Alonso, who is facing the toughest test of his short Madrid reign, gathered his staff for an emergency post-mortem. Even the club’s hierarchy began to whisper that the issues ran beyond formations. Since that humiliation, Madrid’s response has been steady but far from emphatic. Wins in La Liga and a hard-fought Champions League victory against Juventus have soothed the tension, but the real test looms this weekend when Barcelona will visit the Santiago Bernabeu.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesCourtois confident ahead of Barca showdown
Although questions are being asked of Real Madrid's form, Courtois has made it clear that they aren’t walking into this one to merely compete, but to conquer.
“Both teams arrive well, so it is going to be a great match," he said. "After having lost several games against them last year, this year we can win to be able to open a gap. It’s going to be a great game. We expect a victory, always with respect for them.”
Madrid’s midweek Champions League win against Juventus was a test of nerve as much as skill and Courtois praised his teammates’ grit after the narrow win in front of their own fans.
"Very happy with the victory," he said. "It was a very tough and hard-fought game, with chances on both sides of the pitch. We have taken it with a lot of sweat and it is a victory against a big team. We have added 9 points out of 9, and now it’s time to go to Anfield. In the end they are Juve, it’s not a small team. They defend eleven quite low and look for the counter. It’s not easy, you need rhythm, to move from one side to the other with the wingers more open and so we made more danger with Vini. They have hurt us and we have to be attentive for Sunday.”
Courtois reserved special praise for Jude Bellingham, whose anticipation of a loose ball led to Madrid’s winning goal.
"That’s what I like about this type of player," he said. "Vini makes the action and he is aware of the second play because the ball can fall where he has gone. He played a great game, like the whole team. We lacked to score the 2-0 to be calmer, but we can be happy with the victory.”
Barcelona’s defensive overhaul for the Mbappe threat
Across Spain, in Catalonia, Barcelona are leaving nothing to chance. After their 6-1 demolition of a Greek side in Europe, confidence is high, but the preparation for El Clasico has been clinical and calculated. Defender Pau Cubarsi revealed that Barcelona have been “tweaking four key defensive elements” to contain Real Madrid’s explosive front line, especially Kylian Mbappe.
“Everyone knows who Mbappe is. We have to keep an eye on him and all of Madrid's world-class players," Cubarsi told reporters. “We've tweaked four things and it has to go well for us. We'll have to stop him in the best way possible, but especially focus on ourselves. We have to continue with our philosophy. Last year went well. Now the teams have evolved, but if we tweak a few things, we can improve."
Asked about Vinicius, he added: "He's an agile and quick striker who moves into space. We have to be very alert at the back to stop him."
Getty/GOALInjuries and Pressure: The Bernabeu Awaits
For Alonso, El Clasico isn’t just another match, especially after the humiliation in the Madrid derby. A victory would silence doubters and reignite belief that Real Madrid can reclaim their throne. A defeat, however, could deepen the cracks first exposed by Atletico. Their task gets more complicated as Los Blancos will be without David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, and Dani Carvajal. In the absence of a recognised right-back, Fede Valverde will once again slot in as the wide man. A chink in the armour that Hansi Flick will definitely like to capitalise on Sunday afternoon.