Sports
El Clasico kickoff set despite Barcelona riots testing security
October 25, 2026 at 07:59 AM
Coverage
10 reports · over 2 hours
Barcelona hosts Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou for La Liga's El Clasico, with the match already classified high-risk ahead of riots in central Barcelona.
- Barcelona leads the league with 27 points against Real Madrid's 21, with Vinicius Junior suspended for Sunday's matchday 10 fixture.
- Catalan police arrested roughly 100 people in central Barcelona on Saturday, including 27 minors, after riots, Interior Minister Nuria Parlón said.
- No official announcement has postponed the Clasico; Spanish authorities had designated it a high-risk match on October 14.
- Anthony Gordon told ESPN Barcelona are not favorites, rating his own adaptation so far at 7.5 out of 10.
- Yan Dioumandé is set to make his El Clasico debut, and a goal would make him the second-youngest Real Madrid scorer against Barcelona in La Liga.
- Barcelona prepared a giant fan mosaic for the match, which marks Jose Mourinho's return to Camp Nou, and expects record ticket revenue.
- Midfielder Rodri said Real Madrid remains a strong competitor and that Barcelona must give their best to beat them at Camp Nou.
- Hansi Flick's expected Barcelona lineup fields García, Cancelo, Cubarsí, Martín and Éric Espart in defense with Rodri, Pedri and Fermín López in midfield.
- Jose Mourinho's expected Real Madrid lineup includes Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham in attack, with Thibaut Courtois anchoring the defense.
- An AI analysis predicts Barcelona will defeat Real Madrid 2-1 at Spotify Camp Nou.









