Barcelona head into Sunday's El Clasico against Real Madrid carrying the weight of their first defeat of the season. A 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League ended an 11-match winning streak, and Hansi Flick's side now face the added pressure of proving their domestic dominance against the most hostile possible opponent. Sitting top of LaLiga with 27 points from nine games, they can move nine points clear of third-placed Madrid with a win, and break the all-time record for the best start to a Spanish top-flight season in the process.

The injury situation is a genuine concern heading into the fixture. Jules Kounde is a major doubt with an ankle sprain, while Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, and Dani Olmo are all sidelined, as confirmed ahead of the game. Flick is expected to field a young defensive unit, with academy graduate Xavi Espart starting at right-back. Despite the personnel problems, Flick has backed his players publicly and outlined a team-wide defensive structure to contain Kylian Mbappe, emphasising compactness and positioning rather than individual marking.

Beyond tactics, the mood around the squad is one of focus rather than anxiety. Rodri has warned his teammates not to be deceived by Madrid's inconsistent league form, stressing that Los Blancos always raise their level in this fixture. New signings Gabriel Jesus and Rodri are both set for their first Clasico appearances, adding a fresh sense of occasion to a match Barcelona are determined to use as a statement of intent after their midweek stumble in Paris.