FC Barcelona – Real Madrid: will this Clásico decide the fate of LaLiga?

(CNN) — Each edition of The classic is loaded with its own stories, each line adding another layer to the storied rivalry between the real Madrid and the FC Barcelona.

described by The league As a “true cultural phenomenon, attracting the attention of millions of fans around the world”, Sunday’s match at Barça’s Camp Nou will be fraught with significance, as the result could decide the title race.

A Barca win would open up a 12-point lead at the top of the table, making the La Liga title a high probability, if not a mathematical certainty, while a Real Madrid win would keep the contest alive in the absence of of 12 days after the game this Sunday.

The Whites will travel to the Camp Nou buoyed by Wednesday’s 1-0 win against Liverpool to seal their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-2 aggregate.

Vinícius Jr, who was dubbed “the best in the world” by coach Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday, shone in that victory by creating the only goal of the game for Karim Benzema, and his battle with Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo could be key to Define El Clásico.

“He’s had a little more trouble in recent games, but Viní Jr. is always Viní Jr.,” Ancelotti said on Saturday, according to Real’s website.

“His mobility gives us so much, I’m thinking of putting him on the right because he’s capable, but we’ll see. That freedom and playing without a fixed reference point can be crucial. It’s another problem for defenders. I joke that he plays on the right…he will be on the left but with more freedom.”

Benzema, another mainstay of Real’s attack, will play on Sunday despite suffering a knock during the week, Ancelotti said.

While Benzema will take the field with the whites, Barça will be without Pedri and Ousmane Dembélé due to injury, two of their most outstanding players this season.

The Blaugrana have already beaten Real Madrid twice this year, in January to win the Spanish Super Cup final and in March to take a 1-0 lead in their Copa del Rey semi-final. The second leg is at the Camp Nou on April 5.

However, Real triumphed 3-1 in the league game in October at the Bernabéu.

Barca manager Xavi played down any idea that his team were the favorites to win Sunday’s game.

“They’re strong. Very strong, lately”, said Xavi, according to the Barça website. “They are physically much better than in January. I’m sure they will put our defense under pressure.”

“This Madrid is European champion and won the last League comfortably. It will be a close match and I say we have a 50% chance”.

It’s been a lopsided season for Real Madrid, trailing Barca in La Liga and facing that 1-0 deficit in the Copa del Rey semi-final but staying on track to defend their Champions League title.

Ahead of Sunday’s match, Ancelotti addressed speculation about his future at the club, saying he would “stay at this club for the rest of my life, but that is impossible,” adding that it is “a decision for the club to make. “.

“If they want me for three months, I will take advantage of it and the same as if they want me for three years… Anyway, I am sure that we will win something this season and that will put the doubts to rest. We are at a disadvantage in the Cup and the League, but in the Champions League it is not like that”.

Barça, for their part, again fell short in Europe by failing to reach the Champions League round of 16 and losing to Manchester United in the Europa League, while the club is also embroiled in a payment scandal. of referees.

“We are focused on competing,” Xavi said on Saturday. “We try to keep things natural with the players and not get distracted by everything that can happen at a club like this.”

Where to watch the game

El Clásico will kick off at 4 pm (Miami time) on Sunday afternoon at the Camp Nou, Barcelona. It is available to watch on the following channels:

Mexico: sky sports

Colombia: Directv Sports

Brazil: Star+, ESPN

USA: ESPN

Australia: optus

Canada: TSN, RDS

United Kingdom: Premier Sports, La Liga TV, ITV