When club football returns this weekend after international break, all eyes will be on the upcoming El Clasico matchup between Real Madrid and Barcelona. While both teams still have two games to play until they matchup against each other, fans are already looking ahead to the massive matchup on Oct. 26.
Real Madrid lost all four matchups against Barcelona last season and would love to avenge the embarrassment from last season. Real have been in hot form to start the season; and with Barcelona looking somewhat shaky recently, this game is shaping up to be a must watch at this early point of the season.
Both teams have incredibly deep and talented squads and with the changes that took place at Real Madrid this summer with Xabi Alonso coming in and changing the philosophy and play style, Real fans are feeling confident ahead of this matchup.
Another thing that adds confidence for Madridistas is the sheer number of injuries Hansi Flick's side are currently dealing with. While Real are dealing with a few injuries of their own, none are as significant as Barcelona's, and these two new injuries for Barca may well tilt the game completely in Real Madrid's favor.
How these two Barcelona injuries tilt El Clasico in Real Madrid's favor
As noted by Sports Illustrated, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo have both returned from international break with injuries, putting their participation in El Clasico in serious doubt. Barcelona are already dealing with injuries to a number of starters, and adding in these two could massively tilt the game in Real Madrid's favor.
In addition to Lewandowski and Olmo, Barcelona's injury list ahead of El Clasico includes the likes of Raphinha, Gavi, Ferran Torres, Yamal, and Fermin Lopez, as well as goalkeepers Joan Garci and Marc Andre Ter Stegen. While Yamal and Fermin have a chance to play in two weeks, the rest are surely ruled out.
Losing Lewandowski and Olmo is almost a worst-case scenario for Barcelona. At the moment, that leaves Marcus Rashford as their only fit starting attacking player available to face Real Madrid in two weeks time.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid's entire attacking line is fit and healthy and with players like Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, and Aurelien Tchouameni all getting a much-needed rest over this international break, Real Madrid will surely head into El Clasico as the favorites to take all three points.