What Should We Anticipate in La Liga 2024-25 Matchday 35?

Madrid (Spain), May 9 (NationPress) The upcoming El Clasico showdown between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid could potentially determine the champions of this season's La Liga. While this marks the fourth encounter between these iconic teams this season, there are always unique aspects to anticipate.

Barcelona holds a slim four-point advantage over their historic rivals, leading with 79 points compared to Real Madrid's 75. Atletico Madrid sits in third with 67 points, while Athletic Bilbao is positioned fourth with 61.

Here’s a look at key factors to consider this weekend in Spain:

1. Fatigue or Optimism at Barcelona?

Tuesday night was a devastating experience for FC Barcelona as their aspirations for the UEFA Champions League and a possible treble were dashed in Milan, according to reports from Xinhua. Just two minutes from victory, a late goal from Inter sent the match into extra time, where the Italian team narrowly triumphed over Hansi Flick’s squad.

The physical toll on Barca's players is evident, and the additional 30 minutes of gameplay won't aid their performance heading into Sunday’s Clasico. While Barcelona has endured two taxing midweek matches against Inter, Real Madrid has had the chance to rest, which could prove crucial.

2. Injury Woes for Real Madrid

In last weekend's thrilling 3-2 victory against Celta Vigo, Real Madrid demonstrated both exceptional attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities, putting their efforts from players like Kylian Mbappe at risk.

Injuries affecting players like Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, and Eduardo Camavinga have left coach Carlo Ancelotti with a severely depleted backline. Consequently, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde may need to adapt to defensive roles on Sunday.

This shift could diminish Madrid's midfield energy, allowing Barcelona to dominate possession, making Ancelotti's challenge to reinforce defense while controlling midfield even more critical.

3. A Referee's Dilemma

Alejandro Hernandez will officiate Sunday’s match, and he might wonder if he’s been handed a coveted opportunity or a challenging task. Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who recently officiated a Copa del Rey match where Barcelona won 3-2, faced intense scrutiny from Real Madrid's media, bringing him to tears before the match.

With RMTV closely monitoring Hernandez's every call and the Barcelona press also attentive to potential biases, the referee will undoubtedly face scrutiny regardless of his decisions, anticipating a series of contentious moments to navigate.

4. Exciting Matches Elsewhere

While the Clasico is the main attraction, there are numerous critical matches taking place across Spain this weekend. Notably, Saturday’s clash between Girona and Villarreal and Sunday’s derby featuring Alaves and Athletic Bilbao are significant for both European qualification and relegation battles.

Sevilla needs a crucial win against Celta Vigo, while Real Betis’ ambitions for a top-five finish hinge on a victory over Osasuna. Meanwhile, Leganes faces a do-or-die situation in their home match against Espanyol as they strive to escape relegation.