Real Madrid is approaching one of the worst seasons in recent years. And this weekend's El Clasico could turn that nightmare into the most painful reality.
The Royal team entered the away match at Camp Nou with an 11-point gap from Barcelona when the season is only four rounds away. This means that as long as they do not lose, coach Hansi Flick's team will officially win La Liga right in front of their great rival.
If that happens, this will be the first time in nearly a century that El Clasico directly decides the Spanish championship. The last time took place in 1932, when Real Madrid won the title after a 2-2 draw at Barcelona's home ground.
The current context makes Real Madrid's pain even deeper. The 2025-2026 season witnessed a series of shocks at the Bernabeu. They were eliminated from the Champions League from the quarter-finals, lost in the Copa del Rey, fell behind in the La Liga championship race and are almost certain to be empty-handed for the second consecutive season.
The situation is even more chaotic because of the continuous internal scandals that have appeared in just the past few days. Federico Valverde had to be hospitalized after a collision with Aurelien Tchouameni on the training ground, while details of the scuffle between Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Carreras were also exposed by the media.
Kylian Mbappe also continues to become the focus of controversy when taking a vacation with his girlfriend while recovering from injury. This has caused the wave of criticism aimed at the French striker to grow in the context of Real Madrid's comprehensive decline.
On the coaching bench, the situation is not much better. Xabi Alonso has left the head coach position just a few months after taking office, while Alvaro Arbeloa is currently only acting as interim in a volatile period.
El Clasico history has witnessed many matches that changed the fate of the whole season. Barcelona once destroyed Real Madrid 5-1 in 2018 and caused Julen Lopetegui to lose his job, or the 4-0 victory in 2015 that opened the collapse of Rafa Benitez at the Bernabeu.
Now, the Catalan team is facing the opportunity to create another painful chapter for their arch-rival by winning the La Liga championship right in the El Clasico match.
However, Real Madrid still has reason to hope. They once defeated Barca 2-1 in the first leg of La Liga this season and always know how to make a difference in big matches.
However, the current situation clearly does not stand on Los Blancos' side. Valverde is absent, Mbappe has not ensured the best physical condition, the dressing room is cracked and huge pressure is overwhelming the whole team.
If they cannot create a surprise at Camp Nou, Real Madrid will not only watch Barcelona lift the cup in front of them, but also face another turbulent summer at the Bernabeu.
The match between Barcelona and Real Madrid takes place at 2:00 AM on May 11 (Vietnam time).
