How the Clásico slipped away
Barcelona arrived at the first Clásico of the season as LaLiga leaders with nine wins from nine and 39 goals scored, as [1] noted in its preview. That preview also pointed out that Real Madrid had scored eight goals in their previous two games but were still searching for balance under José Mourinho.
The match did not follow the form guide. Real Madrid won 2-1 at the Camp Nou, and Kylian Mbappé scored both goals. According to [2], the winner came late, after Raphinha had levelled for Barcelona on the hour. [3] described the result as the end of Barcelona’s nine-match winning start to the league season, and [4] also reported the late winner.
It was Barcelona’s first league defeat of 2026-27. It also came days after a 4-2 Champions League loss at Paris Saint-Germain, so the Clásico was their second defeat in a week.
Injuries and a full-back reshuffle
The match was disrupted before half-time. [5] reported that Xavi Espart left the field around the 30th minute with a leg injury and will undergo medical tests to establish how serious it is. Alejandro Balde came on in his place, and João Cancelo moved to right-back with Balde taking the left side. Marca said the early withdrawal forced tactical changes at full-back.
Espart is one of several absentees. The same report says Dani Olmo and Roony Bardghji were already injured, and that Andreas Christensen and Eric García are also in the infirmary. García missed the Clásico through injury, according to [6].
There is one piece of better news. Jules Koundé is also in the infirmary, but Marca says he is close to returning to the team. The details of his fitness are not confirmed, so his availability is worth watching in the coming days. Until then, the defence and the wide areas are the clearest pressure points for Hansi Flick.
Scorers and the squad’s response
The attack remains productive. [7] lists Raphinha with 13 LaLiga goals after 10 matchdays, at the top of its scoring table, and Lamine Yamal with 8, also among the leaders. Mbappé scored his tenth league goal in the Clásico, so the race for the top scorer’s award is now a direct subplot between the two clubs.
The immediate response off the pitch was measured. Marca reported that the players posted messages of unity and determination after the defeat. Flick gave the squad Monday off, and they will not train again until Wednesday. That gives injured players a little more time for treatment and tests, and it gives the rest a short break after two demanding matches.
The input carries no quotes from Flick about the result or about changes to his plans, so any tactical adjustment remains to be seen on the training pitch and on matchday.
What it means
Barcelona remain first in La Liga with 27 points from 10 games (W9 D0 L1), having scored 40 goals and conceded 11. One defeat has not cost them the top spot, and the record is still the best of any side this season by results.
The form line is less comfortable. Their last five matches read: a 3-0 home win over Getafe, a 4-1 win at Galatasaray, a 5-2 win at Real Betis, then the 4-2 loss at PSG and the 2-1 loss to Real Madrid. Two defeats in a row have brought six goals conceded, and the Clásico exposed how thin the squad is at full-back.
The next fixture is Barcelona against Alavés in La Liga on 31 October. The site’s forecast for that game locks 24 hours before kick-off, so no prediction is published yet. The question the match asks is simple: can Flick’s side restore defensive order with a reshuffled back line while the attack keeps scoring at its usual rate? Raphinha’s goals and the return of Koundé, if it comes, would be the most obvious ways to answer yes.
Sources
- The Guardian: El Clásico today: How to watch Barcelona v Real Madrid, TV channels & live stream theguardian.com ↩
- The Guardian: Mbappé double secures Real Madrid late victory at Barcelona after Raphinha leveller theguardian.com ↩
- Sky Sports: Euro Debrief: Mbappe and Mourinho expose Barcelona's big problem skysports.com ↩
- BBC Sport: Late Mbappe goal earns Real win at Barca in dramatic Clasico bbc.co.uk ↩
- Marca: Espart se retira lesionado: Balde, casi inédito este curso, le sustituye en el Clásico marca.com ↩
- Marca: Los mensajes de los jugadores del Barça tras el Clásico, contundentes marca.com ↩
- Marca: Así está el Pichichi de LaLiga 2026-27: Mbappé supera a Lamine y acecha a Raphinha tras su gol en el Clásico marca.com ↩
