Confident Barcelona Visit Unpredictable La Liga Champions Real Madrid

La Liga leaders Barcelona visit rivals Real Madrid in a mouthwatering Clasico on Saturday, aiming to strike a significant blow in the Spanish title race. Barcelona hold a three point lead on the second-place Spanish and European champions, who are struggling for consistency and balance as they head into Kylian Mbappe's first Clasico as a Madrid player. It is also Barcelona coach Hansi Flick's first Clasico and his team's 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday demonstrated how he has revitalised the Catalan giants in a matter of months.

Madrid had their own European epic on Tuesday in a repeat of last season's final against Borussia Dortmund, and they produced a classic Los Blancos comeback from two goals down to destroy the visitors 5-2.

Their poor first half gave way to an explosive second as Madrid flexed their muscles, with Vinicius Junior scoring a hat-trick.

"Very timid, with little control," Ancelotti summarised his team's first half against Dortmund.

"But we woke up after the break and did very well, in all aspects, intensity, pressing, quality, everything... it was spectacular."

The coach was in no doubts over which version of Madrid he expected to see on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu under the lights.

"It's not too complicated... the second half Madrid," said the Italian coach.

Los Blancos will be without Rodrygo and Thibaut Courtois after injuries against Dortmund, while Jude Bellingham is yet to score in 10 games this season, having netted 10 goals at the same stage last year.

Without the retired Toni Kroos, Ancelotti must lean heavily on 39-year-old Luka Modric for midfield creativity, as Madrid bid to go a 43rd league match unbeaten, matching Barcelona's all-time record set