Come October, the international break once again upsets the rhythm of club soccer. Yet, there is a certain fixture standing tall above everything else; something each player and every fan waits for. The first big El Clásico of the season pits Real Madrid against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu on October 26. How many times the teams face each other, the intensity between them will always be there, and this time it will be no different.
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History and a long rivalry burden both Spanish giants coming into this match from very different places. Barça sits atop La Liga-three points clear of Real Madrid-only adding more spice to a hot contest. But before the whistle blows at the Bernabéu, both must deal with the ultimate coaching annoyance: the FIFA break, which turns their squads into a patchwork quilt of players.
The minute national teams call, clubs face the riddle. Just injuries, physical exhaustion, and international travel alone can alter the course of a season. For Barcelona, this break comes at an inopportune time, as Hansi Flick's squad has been struck by fresh "diaspora" called up for national duties.
The list is completed by the presence of Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and Pau Cubarsí for Spain, and a few more for the U-21 and U-23 selections. In many ways, Barça has given up on a big part of its future. Meanwhile, key players such as Raphinha-who's been in stellar form-have joined Brazil for two tricky matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
On the other hand, Real Madrid have attempted to soften the blow of call-ups. Injured Dani Carvajal in recent matches, for instance, the club opted to hold some players back and do not send some to international matches. The like of Andrey Lunin, who was supposed to travel for Ukraine, stayed in Madrid, which may become a key advantage for both physical recovery and tactical preparation.
Still without Thibaut Courtois for a long while, Real Madrid has been forced into makeshift situations in various positions. Lunin, who won the starting spot initially following Courtois', was also excused from his national team duties; rather, a godsend for Carlo Ancelotti. Still, the unfortunate injury to Carvajal dealt a heavy blow. The right-back, who's always integral for both Real and the Spanish national team might miss El Clásico.
Besides, Madrid has been more conservative while sending their players to international duties, retaining a tighter grip on those who could have been called up. Obviously, an attempt to cut down physical fatigue and avoid unnecessary risks.
However, Real can't rely completely on these precautionary moves. Ancelotti's squad must be fully complete, especially against a Barcelona team that has been nothing short of consistent. Injuries and other conditions resulting from the recent FIFA break, coupled with fatigue, could further worsen Madrid's situation ahead of El Clásico.
This El Clásico game gives Barcelona another chance to solidify their position at the top. Even with a roster that is torn apart by national call-ups, Hansi Flick has the Blaugrana playing cohesive soccer. Robert Lewandowski, La Liga's top scorer with 10 goals in 9 matches, continues to be the main threat in Barça's attack. The Polish forward will definitely play for his country in the Nations League but is expected to come into El Clásico brimming with confidence, something which Barça will want to exploit.
Also, Barcelona sees the rise of their young starlets. Pedri and Lamine Yamal have been pivotal to club and country, and they will hold a lot of influence in the team's fortune this campaign. One big question would be: how these players return from their international commitments, physical and mental fatigue could be big factors to determine the outcome of El Clásico.
On the other hand, Real Madrid will know that, even if they are trailing in the standings, a Clásico can turn everything upside down. The atmosphere of the Bernabéu, the pressure of their fans, and the symbolic weight of the white jersey play for them in many important moments. If there is one thing Ancelotti's side needs, it is using that energy to bounce back and challenge Barça's dominance.
This is where the October break comes into play. It will be a game-changer for this match, probably deciding which team gains much from injuries and fatigue. As for Barça, some crucial players have been called up, like Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Pedri-test cases to see whether Flick can know how these crucial figures come back. Meanwhile, Real Madrid, who have kept some players "at home," will focus on recovering injured players and preparing a team able to take on league leaders.
Ancelotti's cautious approach-keeping certain players in reserve, such as Lunin-might turn out to be very astute, but nothing is certain in a Clásico. It all will depend on the form of the team from a physical and mental perspective after the break.
With everything in place, anticipation of the first Clásico of the season is at an all-time high. League-leading Barcelona enter with perhaps a worn-out squad from international duty, while Real Madrid-who have minimized the effects of the FIFA break-will bank on home-field advantage and the desire to close the gap in La Liga.
The outcome of this game will be indicative of much more than the short-term league leadership. It could give the tone to the rest of the season, a turning point or, in the case of Barça, cementing their grasp on the competition. The real drama, however, is on the pitch. In fact, every time Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in competition, it is redundant to make any predictions. Anything can happen.
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