El Clásico: Alaba Out, Both Sides Struggling

El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday sees Real Madrid two points clear and in strong form under Xabi Alonso, with Kylian Mbappé central to their attack. Barcelona arrive amid a mounting injury and suspension crisis: Raphinha is out with a hamstring injury, Hansi Flick is suspended (assistant Marcus Sorg will lead), and several starters including Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi and both goalkeepers are currently unavailable. Jules Koundé remains doubtful but is set to test himself in training, while Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen have returned to training and look likely to be involved. Real’s defence is stretched — David Alaba is ruled out for at least a week and Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen are sidelined, leaving Éder Militão and Raul Asencio as the only fully fit first‑team centre‑backs; Asencio’s recent withdrawal vs Juventus was a cramp rather than a new injury. Alonso’s coaching staff plan to exploit 18‑year‑old Lamine Yamal’s occasional defensive lapses on Barcelona’s right by attacking with Vinícius Jr., Álvaro Carreras or by having Mbappé drift wide to create overloads.