By Jean Lootcheby Clysto

This Sunday afternoon, April 21, 2024, Real Madrid will challenge FC Barcelona on the pitch of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu as part of the 32nd day of La Liga. Leader of the Spanish championship, the Merengues intend to confirm their superiority against the Catalan rival.

After qualifying for the semi-finals of the Champions League, Real Madrid could well have an absolutely perfect week by beating Barça this Sunday evening at the Bernabeu. If the Merengues suffered a lot against Manchester City (1-1, 3-4), it was Carlo Ancelotti’s men who emerged victorious from the penalty shootout. For the Catalan club, the last few days were obviously much less pleasant. While FC Barcelona won the first leg, Paris finally came to reverse the situation at Montjuïc (1-4). It is therefore with a very bitter taste that the Catalans will head to Madrid this Sunday evening.

In addition to this very favorable context for the club from the Spanish capital, it should be noted that Real Madrid has only lost once this season in La Liga, on September 23 against Atlético Madrid (3-1). ). Undefeated at home and remaining on four consecutive victories in their stadium, the Madrilenians will take on the role of favorite for this Clasico.

During the first leg, Carlo Ancelotti’s men had already won in Catalonia (1-2). In this context, we envisage a success for Madrid against Barcelona.

While Kylian Mbappé is already announced as the future great striker of Real Madrid, Rodrygo also continues to prove his qualities while waiting for Bondy’s crack. This season, the Brazilian has already scored 17 goals and provided 8 assists (in all competitions), all in 44 appearances. Author of a double during his last La Liga match against Athletic (2-0), the native of Osasco is in rather good shape. It should also be noted that the 23-year-old played a decisive role during this Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City, scoring in the first leg and then in the second leg.

Arriving last summer from Borussia Dortmund, the Briton did not need much time to prove that he had the makings of a very great one. The 20-year-old is the Merengues’ top scorer this season in La Liga with 16 goals scored. In addition to his offensive statistics, the native of Stourbridge stands out for his remarkable maturity, his leadership and his taste for effort and sacrifice. Against City this Wednesday, Jude Bellingham covered no less than 15 kilometers and finished the match absolutely exhausted. We will also note that he is involved in Rodrygo’s opening score with this absolutely sumptuous ball control. During the first leg in Barcelona, ​​the England international scored twice, already proving that he had everything to establish himself as a Real Madrid legend.

Real Madrid: unsinkable Merengues

This Wednesday evening at the Etihad Stadium, Real Madrid once again proved that it was definitely a club apart where this unique culture of winning reigns. For almost two hours, the Spanish giant suffered in the face of repeated attacks from the SkyBlues. But if Kévin De Bruyne believed he was reversing the trend, it is the Castille club that will see the last four of the C1. It is therefore with full confidence that the Merengues will welcome their great rival from Catalonia this Sunday evening as part of the 32nd day of La Liga.

More generally, Real Madrid is in great shape and is heading towards the 36th Spanish champion title in its history. Remaining on four consecutive successes in La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are at the top of the standings seven days from the end of the season and are eight points ahead of Barça, their runner-up. A success for the Madrilenians this Sunday evening would almost end the suspense in the title race.

Barça: getting up after the fall

As for Barcelona, ​​the end of the season is likely to be long and painful. Unlike Real Madrid, Barça had a nightmarish week. Scuttling against PSG (1-4), the Catalan club was eliminated from the Champions League. This terrible setback, however, arrived at the heart of a period where FC Barcelona seemed to have regained confidence and was achieving a string of good results. As proof, Xavi’s men have won their last four La Liga matches, notably beating Atlético Madrid (0-3). But while it would take a miracle for Barça to be crowned in the championship and the departure of Xavi has already been announced for months, the enormous disappointment of this quarter-final return risks dampening the atmosphere during the next weeks.