Champions Real Madrid Await Shaken Barcelona In El Clasico

Real Madrid showed their immense mental strength under pressure in their stunning run to Champions League glory last season. They came from behind against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City on a wild run to the final, winning when it seemed nearly impossible, when all hope was extinguished. On Sunday, they host Barcelona in the Clasico, both sides unbeaten in La Liga, but their opponents arrive in a state of wildly contrasting fragility, bruised from another harrowing night in the Champions League against Inter Milan.

The 3-3 draw at Camp Nou left Barcelona on the verge of another humiliating group stage elimination, while Madrid have already wrapped up qualification to the last 16.

League leaders Barcelona who also beat Madrid 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu last season, somehow arrive as underdogs, bearing fresh wounds.

From being drawn in the toughest European group, to controversial refereeing decisions in Milan, as well as having multiple players injured, it has been a rough ride for the Catalans.

"It's a cruel, hard blow, very cruel," said Xavi after the Inter draw. "Now we have to think about Madrid, the Clasico, recover, and on Sunday try to beat Madrid at the Bernabeu which won't be easy.

"Let's leave the Champions League to one side and focus on La Liga, we're leaders and want to stay there. We hope that it doesn't affect us psychologically, or the morale of the players."

Barcelona need to face Madrid with the right mentality. Turning their frustrations into righteous anger and steely determination would help them, but if that spills over into desperation they are at risk of collapse.

Against Inter Milan they struck shortly before half-time, through Ousmane Dembele, but after conceding the equaliser