Getty Images SportThibaut Courtois claims Real Madrid 'expecting a victory' in El Clasico as Barcelona prepare for biggest test in bid to retain La Liga crown
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Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
Advanced
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.
Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
Pro
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 14 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is included with the Express Pro plan.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers an unlimited private email relay plus an unlimited number of shared aliases and 20 custom domains, ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator, and ExpressAI, an AI assistant that offers 500 credits a day, six AI models, a web search facility plus 2GB storage.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.
Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
Basic
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.
Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
Advanced
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.
Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Getty ImagesCourtois confident ahead of Barca showdown
Although questions are being asked of Real Madrid's form, Courtois has made it clear that they aren’t walking into this one to merely compete, but to conquer.
“Both teams arrive well, so it is going to be a great match," he said. "After having lost several games against them last year, this year we can win to be able to open a gap. It’s going to be a great game. We expect a victory, always with respect for them.”
Madrid’s midweek Champions League win against Juventus was a test of nerve as much as skill and Courtois praised his teammates’ grit after the narrow win in front of their own fans.
"Very happy with the victory," he said. "It was a very tough and hard-fought game, with chances on both sides of the pitch. We have taken it with a lot of sweat and it is a victory against a big team. We have added 9 points out of 9, and now it’s time to go to Anfield. In the end they are Juve, it’s not a small team. They defend eleven quite low and look for the counter. It’s not easy, you need rhythm, to move from one side to the other with the wingers more open and so we made more danger with Vini. They have hurt us and we have to be attentive for Sunday.”
Courtois reserved special praise for Jude Bellingham, whose anticipation of a loose ball led to Madrid’s winning goal.
"That’s what I like about this type of player," he said. "Vini makes the action and he is aware of the second play because the ball can fall where he has gone. He played a great game, like the whole team. We lacked to score the 2-0 to be calmer, but we can be happy with the victory.”
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Getty/GOALInjuries and Pressure: The Bernabeu Awaits
For Alonso, El Clasico isn’t just another match, especially after the humiliation in the Madrid derby. A victory would silence doubters and reignite belief that Real Madrid can reclaim their throne. A defeat, however, could deepen the cracks first exposed by Atletico. Their task gets more complicated as Los Blancos will be without David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, and Dani Carvajal. In the absence of a recognised right-back, Fede Valverde will once again slot in as the wide man. A chink in the armour that Hansi Flick will definitely like to capitalise on Sunday afternoon.
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