A ‘friendly’ iteration of El Clasico takes place at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Saturday night, as Barcelona and Real Madrid put on a show for the Texan crowd.
Xavi’s side most recently fell to a 5-3 loss to Arsenal in Los Angeles, while their capital counterparts ran out 2-0 victors over Manchester United.
Despite putting three goals past an Arsenal side that were stunted in a prior defeat to Man United, Barcelona failed to bring their defensive acumen with them to the United States, as Xavi witnessed his side concede five to the Gunners in a dissatisfactory start to their transatlantic stopover.
Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Ferran Torres all breached the Arsenal backline, but Leandro Trossard’s brace, Bukayo Saka’s finish, Kai Havertz’s toe-poke and Fabio Vieira’s thunderbolt all contributed to the Catalonians’ downfall on Wednesday night.
Xavi admitted that he was left taken aback by Arsenal’s intensity in that exhibition game, and the 43-year-old can be sure that there will be no let-up for his side in Dallas, as they seek a quick return to winning ways after seeing off Vissel Kobe 2-0 last month.
A sickness outbreak did Barcelona no favours before their eight-goal extravaganza versus Arsenal; their proposed showdown with Juventus had to be called off, but Xavi’s side have seemingly fully recovered from that viral episode and have another trio of daunting friendlies on the menu.
Indeed, AC Milan and Joan Gamper Trophy challengers Tottenham Hotspur are lying in wait before La Blaugrana commence the defence of their La Liga crown – one which Real Madrid will endeavour to wrestle out of their grasp in the coming months.
Endearing himself to the Bernabeu faithful in extraordinary fashion, Espanyol loanee Joselu made sure of Real Madrid’s two-goal win over Man United in midweek, having already witnessed Jude Bellingham propel Los Blancos into the lead with a delicate dink after just six minutes.
The Red Devils’ attempts to claw their way back into the Texan tie were futile, and in the dying embers of the match, Joselu fired a terrific overhead kick beyond a stagnant Andre Onana, who was otherwise a shining light in Man United’s 2-0 loss.
Now two-for-two in pre-season after coming out on the correct end of a 3-2 thriller versus Milan, Carlo Ancelotti’s crop will take to North American soil for the penultimate time in pre-season this weekend, as a final showdown with Juventus on August 1 precedes their flight home.
Real president Florentino Perez had already poured cold water on the prospect of further signings this summer, and Ancelotti hailed his squad as “complete” following their success over the Red Devils, having witnessed a new-look 4-4-2 work to good effect.
Los Blancos will now renew hostilities with Barcelona following their quintet of meetings in the 2022-23 campaign, which saw La Blaugrana come out on top on three occasions, but their most recent battle ended in a 4-0 Real romping during their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg.
Having shaken off an ankle concern, Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde was able to come on for the second half of Wednesday’s defeat to Arsenal and should now be considered for a starting role in El Clasico.
On the other hand, new arrival Inigo Martinez is still on the road to recovery from his troublesome foot injury and is still waiting for his Barcelona baptism, while Gavi (back) and Clement Lenglet (unspecified) are also touch-and-go.
As is always the case with pre-season friendlies, a multitude of changes should be in the offing, as the likes of Torres, Balde, Jules Kounde, Frenkie de Jong and Franck Kessie seek starting roles for Saturday’s battle.
Similarly, a new face in the Real Madrid ranks did not see the field during their recent win over Man United, as teenage sensation Arda Guler was kept in reserve due to thigh discomfort and may not be risked from the off on Saturday either.
Dani Ceballos is also nursing a hamstring injury, which could supposedly keep him sidelined for another few weeks, but Ancelotti should once again be able to call upon almost all of his troops and could also consider a fair few alterations.
Andriy Lunin did himself proud in between the sticks against Man United but could now hand the gloves back over to Thibaut Courtois, while Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Toni Kroos have strong cases for starts too.
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Garcia, Balde; Kessie, Romeu, De Jong; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Tchouameni, Valverde; Bellingham; Joselu, Vinicius Jr
We say: Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have already displayed an affinity for goals in pre-season as players aim to make their mark under Xavi and Ancelotti, who should oversee an entertaining encounter on the Dallas turf.
It is always difficult to know exactly what to expect in pre-season as managers tinker with their side’s tactics, but we expect Saturday’s El Clasico to live up to the billing in a high-scoring draw.
