Real Madrid hosted Barcelona at the prestigious Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and, following a powerful attacking performance, were capable of convincingly winning the tenth fixture of La Liga.
On the other hand, Barcelonas disappointing failure to win El Clásico confirms the issues within this squad and widens the gap between the two teams in the standings.
Following this game, Real Madrid have 27 points while Barcelona remain second with 22.
This puts more pressure on Barcelona for the upcoming period and obliges them to win all of the forthcoming games strictly.
For Real Madrid, this win comforts everyone and will allow Xabi Alonso to work without much pressure for the coming period.
His team put on a very convincing performance in one of the most decisive games of the season.
In this tactical analysis of the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, we will examine Real Madrids high-pressing plan and how it helped them gain an advantage over Barcelona and limit their playmaking efforts, while exploring Barcelonas key errors and what they lacked attacking-wise.
Real Madrid Vs Barcelona Lineups & Formations
Alonso started the match according to the 4-3-1-2 formation with Thibaut Courtois as a goalkeeper, Federico Valverde as a right-back, Éder Militão and Raúl Asencio as centre-backs, and Álvaro Carreras as a left-back.
In midfield, Alonso preferred to start with Eduardo Camavinga as a defensive midfielder, and the player was crucial in this match thanks to his defensive work, penetrations, attacking support, interceptions, and ability to cover a lot of areas.
Both Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler were used as central midfielders, with Güler leaning to the right more often and exchanging positions with Jude Bellingham whenever needed.
The latter was mainly used as an advanced playmaker, and his performance was very valuable for Real Madrids attack.
He served the main striker, Kylian Mbappé, with key passes throughout the match and made dangerous penetrations towards the box.
Vinícius Júnior played as a second striker who leans a lot to the left wing.
Hansi Flick opted for the usual 4-3-3 formation for Barcelona, knowing that the team was missing a few key players whose absence was felt in this match.
We are talking mainly about Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, and Gavi.
Barcelona started the match with Wojciech Szczęsny as a goalkeeper, Jules Koundé as a right-back, Pau Cubarsí and Eric García as centre-backs, and Alejandro Balde as a left-back.
In midfield, Frenkie de Jong was the defensive midfielder, with Pedri and Fermín López playing as central midfielders, even though López had even more freedom to advance and be like an advanced playmaker.
Upfront, the team relied on Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford on the wings, with Ferran Torres as a striker, but the three players performance was not good enough to disturb Real Madrid in this game.
[Real Madrid Vs Barcelona [2–1] La Liga 2025/2026: Xabi Alonso Efficient High Pressing Plan & Hansi Flick Worn-Out Defensive Style – Tactical Analysis](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Real-Madrid-Vs-Barcelona-2–1-La-Liga-20252026-Xabi-Alonso-Efficient-High-Pressing-Plan-Hansi-Flick-Worn-Out-Defensive-Style-–-Tactical-Analysis-1.jpg)
Real Madrid Vs Barcelona Formations
Real Madrid High Pressing Plan & Its Impact On Barcelona
Real Madrid started one of the most important matches of the season in an almost perfect way, applying efficient high pressure on Barcelona, creating a lot of threat inside their final third, and eventually scoring their first goal early in the game before it got disallowed.
And despite disallowing it, Real Madrids first goal showcases several truths about both teams.
**Real Madrid Exploitatio
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