Spain’s La Liga just dropped big news for soccer fans: the first El Clásico of the 2024-25 season between rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona kicks off on October 26. The match starts at 4:15 p.m. Central European Time (2:15 p.m. GMT) at Real Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.
This showdown marks the first time Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso takes the helm for an El Clásico. He’ll look to turn the tables after Carlo Ancelotti’s tough run against Barcelona last season, where they lost four straight times. Barcelona dominated with a 4-0 thrashing at the Bernabeu, a 4-3 win at Montjuic in La Liga, a 5-2 victory in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia, and a dramatic 3-2 Copa del Rey final win in Seville—sealed by Jules Kounde’s goal in the 116th minute.
Right now, Real Madrid sits atop La Liga with a perfect record, racking up six wins from six games. Barcelona trails by five points, but Hansi Flick’s team has a chance to close the gap with a midweek clash against Oviedo on Thursday night.
Bad news for Barcelona fans heading into the El Clásico: star midfielder Gavi won’t play. The Spain international needs another surgery on his right knee, sidelining him for four to five months. Gavi had an exploratory procedure on Tuesday to fix a medial meniscus injury, which doctors sutured to save the meniscus. Recovery could stretch until February or March, according to the Barcelona website.
This setback hits the same knee where Gavi tore his cruciate ligament playing for Spain in November 2023, keeping him out for a full year. He got hurt in training before the last international break and tried conservative treatment, but it didn’t work out.
Adding to Barcelona’s injury woes, midfielder Fermin Lopez faces three weeks on the sidelines with a groin problem. That puts his spot in the El Clásico in serious jeopardy, especially with the next international break looming.
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