Real Madrid vs Barcelona — La Liga 2025/26 Round 10

The lights at the Bernabéu flicker on; a roar rolls down the stands. On Sunday, October 26 (Spain time), Real Madrid vs Barcelona writes the first El Clásico of 2025/26. LaLiga’s calendar places the game on the Oct 25/26 weekend in Madrid, with the return leg on May 9/10 in Barcelona. Kickoff time is TBC, but the date is locked—and tickets pages are already pointing to Oct 26.

The recent story: Barça swept the 2024/25 Clásicos

Four official meetings last season, and Barça won all four—a rare clean sweep that set the tone for a title run:

• LaLiga (Oct 26, 2024): Real Madrid 0–4 Barcelona.

• Supercopa final (Jan 12, 2025): Real Madrid 2–5 Barcelona.

• Copa del Rey final (Apr 26, 2025): Barcelona 3–2 Real Madrid (AET).

• LaLiga (May 11, 2025): Barcelona 4–3 Real Madrid.

Real Madrid: Alonso’s first league Clásico, a front line built for shock and awe

A new bench boss, a familiar ambition. Xabi Alonso took charge in May and has already pocketed LaLiga’s August Coach of the Month, with Madrid opening perfectly. His brief is clear: compress distances without losing vertical bite.

Madrid threads to watch

• The left-lane surge: Vini Jr.’s first step vs. Barça’s right side—can Madrid isolate that duel early and often?

• Mbappé’s gravity: #10’s interior runs pull center-backs into awkward choices, opening the half-space for late arrivals.

• Second balls at the arc: When Madrid go direct, controlling the rebound zone at 18–22m was decisive in recent wins and losses.

Barcelona: Flick’s control & the new No.10

On the other touchline, Hansi Flick’s Barça bring a high-tempo press and fast vertical switches—same principles that powered last season’s surge and a clean sweep in the rivalry.

The shirt says it all: Lamine Yamal is Barça’s new No. 10 through 2031—youthful audacity carrying a historic number into its next chapter. Expect the right wing to be a live wire again, with his inswing left foot shaping shots and cut-backs.

Barça threads to watch

• Press triggers on Madrid’s full-backs: Jump the pass into the channel, force hurried clearances, hunt the second ball.

• Half-space rotations: Pedri/Ilkay-style overloads to pin Madrid’s midfield, freeing Yamal to attack 1v1.

• Set pieces: Recent Clásicos swung on restarts and broken plays—win the near-post races, win the narrative.

What the world expects and why it matters

El Clásico doesn’t just crown a game; it tilts a season. After last year’s four-for-four, Madrid’s home date feels like a referendum on the reset under Alonso, while Barça test whether a champion’s control still travels. With the first leg set for the Oct 25/26 weekend in Madrid, intensity will be non-negotiable; the second act arrives May 9/10. Clear your schedule.

Fan guide

• Real Madrid kits: Home / Away / Third — popular prints: Mbappé #10, Vini #7, Bellingham #5

• Barcelona kits: Home / Away / Third — spotlight: Lamine Yamal #10

• Patches & bundles: LaLiga patch, 2-piece/3-piece sets for matchday photos; check sizing before name & number customization (custom orders often non-returnable).