Hey Jude, the Rolling Stones and Barca's kid: Welcome to El Clasico

We have reached the middle of the first part of the Primera season. Just a few days after the Champions League clash, it's time for El Clasico. The obligatory pre-derby statistics tell us that this is the 255th time the two teams have met since 1916 and that Real has two more wins. The last time they met was in July when Barcelona won 3:0. Sergio Busquets played the most Clasicos, the number one goalscorer is Lionel Messi, and Sergio Ramos holds the record for the number of red cards. When we talk about the importance of three league points, it is worth noting that Barcelona have not yet lost a single league game, although they have three draws, while Real lost to Atlético and drew once. Real is second on the table with 25 points, and Barca is third. The victory, as already stated by Carlo Ancelotti, will not decide the season, only the current first place in the table.

Xavi: Lewandowski could face Real Madrid, Pedri and De Jong still questionable

Of course, the Clasico is anything but a game for first place in the table, which is clear to everyone, even Jude Bellingham, who is making his debut, confirms Ancelotti. After a moment of fear in the last game of the Champions League, the Englishman is ready. And Robert Lewandowski is also ready they say. The battle of the Spanish giants will be marked - among other things - by the bad relationship between the two clubs. Florentino Perez has decided not to be in the Montjuic box after one of Barcelona's spokespersons posted an offensive tweet about Vinicius. The Negreira case is poisoning the Spanish football scene, and both fans and club members are demanding such moves.

A week ago, Joan Laporta was officially declared a suspect in the investigative procedure, to which he responded, in his own style, with a new attack on Real. This time, he used the phrase "sociological Madridism", and it should mean the intertwining of the Royal Club with the management structures in football to the extent that decisions in their favour are made practically unconsciously. Of course, referees are the first on the line of fire.

Although Jude is already a key player for Real Madrid, his boss still cannot believe how good he is

Real Madrid, through its official television channel, ‘attacks’ the referee of their match if they believe he was not good in a game where Real played. Hill Mansano, the 'lucky’ referee today, avoided any comments in advance and even received praise from Ancelotti. We will see what happens after the meeting. Florentino Perez may not be in the box, but instead of him, the game will be watched by special guests. The sensation of this Classic will be the Rolling Stones in the audience - the visit of Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood has been confirmed – and their famous logo with a tongue will be on Barca's jersey. This is the third time that the musician's logo has appeared since Spotify became a sponsor, and the price of the jerseys, which were sold out immediately, was from 400 to 3,000 euros.

Carlo Ancelotti, for whom this will be the 250th match on the Real bench, has almost all the players at his disposal. Only Dani Ceballos and Arda Guler were injured. Xavi is not so lucky. It is great news that Rafinha, Lewandowski, De Jong, Pedri and Kunde trained. However, possibly only the first two are expected. Against Shakhtar, it seemed that Joao Felix was also injured, but fortunately, like Bellingham, he will be on the field. With Lewa still doubtful for the game and with the absence of any big stars in Barca’s team, the Spanish press teamed Joao Felix with Jude Bellingham for comparison.

"With the change of system at Real, Bellingham is extremely important for them, they are both decisive players. Let's hope that in this Clasico Joao will be the most decisive one" said Xavi, while the press found pointed out that the Portuguese did not record a single goal or assist against Real - neither in Atlético nor in Chelsea. Still, with all due respect to Xavi and Felix's transformation since coming to Barca, the Englishman is currently undisputed in the Spanish league. Bellingham has won La Liga over to the extent that he probably couldn't even dream of.

One of the main tactical questions is who will be in charge of stopping him. Oriol Romeu will most likely get this task, although there is speculation - based on the training sessions of Xavi Hernandez - with other versions as well. It will also depend on whether Vinicius and Rodrigo play on the wings, that is, how Ronald Araujo will be placed. Fede Valverde has stated that if he could remove one Barca player, it would be his Uruguayan compatriot. Though Araucho's job is Vinicius. As for Real, Ancelotti revealed that instead of Kamavinga, he could play Mendy, who has the advantage because he didn’t play in the Champions League. The opposite is the situation of Luka Modrić, who will almost certainly not start the game. We will probably see Kroos, Tchouameni, Valverde and Bellingham in midfield and Vinicius and Rodrygo in attack.

In Barca's attack - Lewandowski, is extremely keen to appear in El Clasico. He could play with a lock on the injured wrist. Otherwise, his role would likely be taken over by Ferran Torres. There is still a question as to who will play among Barca's youngest footballers. The pressure is high, and experience is required. But Xavi, in addition to the regular kids, invited four more to the last training session before the derby, including the latest sensation - Marc Guiu, the creator of the winning goal against Athletic Bilbao. Fermin Lopes was the MVP against Shakhtar, while Lamin is already consistently breaking the ranks of opponents. What can you say when 19-year-old Gavi is already practically a veteran.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 11

Friday

Girona - Celta 1-0 (0-0)

/Herrera 90-+1/

Saturday

15.00: (2.40) Almeria (3.45) Las Palmas (3.15)

17.15: (2.60) Barcelona (3.50) Real Madrid (2.80)

19.30: (2.35) Mallorca (3.20) Getafe (3.50)

22.00: (3.35) Cadiz (3.40) Sevilla (2.30)

Sunday

15.00: (2.10) Betis (3.45) Osasuna (3.90)

17.15: (3.15) Rayo Vallecano (3.15) Sociedad (2.40)

19.30: (1.70) Ath.Bilbao (3.60) Valencia (5.40)

22.00: (1.38) Atl.Madrid (4.70) Alaves (8.50)

Monday

22.00: (3.10) Granada (3.50) Villareal (2.40)

***odds are subject to change***