Kylian Mbappe Guides Real Madrid in Effort to Shatter Barcelonas El Clasico Supremacy
Barcelona secured four triumphs over Real Madrid in last seasons El Clasico encounters but with prolific forward Kylian Mbappe at the forefront Los Blancos seek to level the scales this Sunday in La Liga.
Hansi Flicks team claimed a domestic treble defeating Madrid on two occasions in La Liga alongside victories in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals which led to the conclusion of Carlo Ancelottis tenure.
The Italians successor Xabi Alonso has made a promising start with Madrid holding a two point advantage over Barcelona at the summit of the standings ahead of the showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid face some uncertainties concerning their showings in major fixtures after a defeat to Paris Saint Germain in the Club World Cup semi finals during the summer followed by a 5 2 drubbing from Atletico Madrid in a September derby.
A success in El Clasico would create a five point lead over their adversaries and alleviate those worries whereas Flicks Barcelona have not yet attained the heights of their previous campaign.
Madrid forward Mbappe though has reached unprecedented levels this term building on a solid finish to the prior season.
Mbappe netted in his preceding 11 successive appearances for club and country prior to Wednesdays Champions League victory against Juventus where Jude Bellingham scored the solitary goal.
The 26 year old has tallied 10 of Madrids 20 La Liga strikes topping Spains goal scoring rankings and has 15 for his team in all competitions accounting for 54 percent of their total goals.
We are not reliant on him remarked Madrid manager Alonso last week despite the figures suggesting differently.
We are delighted with his contributions he is proving crucial.
Mbappe encountered difficulties with assurance and rhythm in his initial phase at Madrid including a major letdown in his debut El Clasico.
Precisely one year prior to this weekends El Clasico Barcelona travelled to the Bernabeu and departed with a 4 0 win a game marked by the French stars challenges in overcoming the Catalans elevated defensive line during his first match against them for Madrid.
Mbappe saw one goal ruled out for offside and was flagged offside eight times overall. The attacker appeared diminished and lacking bite according to Spanish outlet AS.
It is time to alter my circumstances and demonstrate my true capabilities as a footballer vowed Mbappe shortly afterwards as Madrid persisted in their downturn.
When Mbappe next confronted Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in January he had elevated his game.
Madrid suffered a 5 2 dismantling but Mbappe scored as he did in their closer 3 2 Copa del Rey final loss.
In May with Mbappe now firing on all cylinders he notched a hat trick versus Barcelona yet Los Blancos still lost 4 3 at the Olympic stadium as Flicks outfit nearly sealed the league championship.
This season Turkish midfielder Arda Guler has begun to build a solid partnership with the striker excelling at identifying Mbappes runs into space.
Arda positions himself between the lines and locates Mbappe effectively stated Alonso.
Given Barcelonas defensive woes early in the present season Madrid are optimistic that Mbappe can exploit the space behind to great impact on Sunday.
Key stats
10 consecutive home victories for Real Madrid in all competitions their joint longest streak in a decade
44 offsides conceded by Barcelona this season in La Liga exceeding any other team in Europes top five leagues
105 El Clasico victories for Real Madrid compared to Barcelonas 104 with 52 draws
Fixtures
Friday all times GMT
Real Sociedad v Sevilla 1900
Saturday
Girona v Real Oviedo 1200 Espanyol v Elche 1415 Athletic Bilbao v Getafe 1630 Valencia v Villarreal 1900
Sunday
Mallorca v Levante 1200 Real Madrid v Barcelona 1415 Osasuna v Celta Vigo 1630 Rayo Vallecano v Alaves 1900
Monday
Real Betis v Atletico Madrid 1900