REAL MADRID host El Clasico rivals Barcelona TONIGHT in a huge clash at the summit of La Liga.
Neither team has been at their best this season but now Barca are just a point behind table-toppers Atletico with Real a further two back themselves.
- Start time: 8pm GMT
- TV/Live stream: Premier Sports 1
- Real Madrid XI: 1 Courtois; 17 Lucas Vazquez, 3 Militao, 6 Nacho, 23 Mendy; 10 Modric, 14 Casemiro, 8 Kroos; 15 Valverde, 9 Benzema, 20 Vinicius Jr
- Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Dest, Araujo, Lenglet, Alba, De Jong, Sergio, Pedri, Dembele, Mingueza, Messi
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
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What time does Real Madrid vs Barcelona kick-off?
- Real Madrid’s huge clash with Barcelona will get underway from 8pm UK time on Saturday, April 10.
- The game will take place at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium in Madrid.
- There will be no fans in attendance at the clash because of coronavirus restrictions.
What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
- Real Madrid vs Barcelona is live on Premier Sports 1.
- Coverage commences at 5.40pm – five minutes before kick-off.
- To stream the game live, head to the Premier Player.
Team news
Sergio Ramos will play no part for Real Madrid as he remains out with a calf problem.
Dani Carvajal is also out after losing his battle to overcome a thigh issue.
Zinedine Zidane may well pick the same eleven that steamrollered Liverpool but could also opt to bring Federico Valverde back into the starting line-up.
Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati are both out for Barca with knee injuries.
Gerard Pique is also likely to be confined to the bench with a knee problem.
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HALF-TIME STATS
Barcelona have registered more than double the amount of possession and passes of their rivals in the first, but haven’t been able to live with Real’s counter-attacks.
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HT: REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
Madrid are in charge of the Clasico at half-time, leading thanks to Karim Benzema’s spectacular back-heel and Toni Kroos’ deflected free-kick. Barcelona have seen plenty of the ball, but have been unable to cope with the pace and skill of Real’s counter-attacks.
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PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THAT’S HALF-TIME IN EL CLASICO!
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
45+2. Another Barca corner, another Messi effort.
This time the forward is on the receiving end of Dembele’s cross from the left, but finds his chest down and shot blocked by Courtois.
That could prove to be a crucial stop from the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
45+1. Ooof! Messi hits the woodwork directly from the corner!
The Argentine curls over an effort that deceives the packed penalty area, catches out Courtois, and rebound off the far post.
He probably meant it too.
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
45. Madrid have nine players behind the ball as Barcelona look to conjure up a way back into the game before half-time.
Messi is crowded out on his latest burst into the box, and then Dest wins a fortuitous corner off Mendy.
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
43. After more treatment, the substitution is made and it’s Alvaro Odriozola that replaces Lucas Vazquez.
The right-back has been in excellent form of late, and Madrid will certainly hope that this won’t be an injury that keeps him out for too long.
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
40. The rain is absolutely pelting down now in Madrid, but that’s unlikely to dampen the spirits of Real fans watching at home.
This might though, it doesn’t look as if Vazquez is going to be able to continue after that knock.
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
38. A heavy collision between Busquets and Lucas Vazquez leaves both players stricken on the pitch. That looked a sore one, especially for the Real Madrid right-back.
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
37. There are Barcelona cries for a penalty as Dembele goes down under Mendy’s challenge.
Neither the on-pitch or video officials are interested, but it’s something of a clumsy act from the Madrid left-back.
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
35. Antoine Griezmann is warming-up on the touchline already. Will we see a change from Ronald Koeman before half-time?
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
34. Post! Madrid go so close to a third!
It’s another counter-attack from the hosts that has Barca at sixes and sevens. Vinicius Junior plays in Valverde, and his shot across goal clatters the woodwork. Following up, Lucas Vazquez’s effort is brilliantly blocked by Ter Stegen.
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
32. Ronald Koeman looks shellshocked on the touchline. He’s watched his side dictate possession and spend most of the opening half hour attacking the Madrid goal, but they’ve looked so perilous when defending Madrid’s counter.
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
30. It’s a long way back for Barcelona now, and their long unbeaten run looks in jeopardy,
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REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA
28. Toni Kroos scores from the free-kick!
At least, the German will claim the goal, but he’s been ably assisted by the Barcelona defence.
Kroos’ powerful effort struck the back of the jumping Sergino Dest to deceive Marc-Andre ter Stegen. On the line, it looked as though Jordi Alba had it covered, but the left-back was slow to react and instead could only help it into the net with his head.
It’s a huge mountain for Barcelona to climb now.
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GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLL!!
TONI KROOS DOUBLES MADRID’S LEAD!! -
REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA
26. Another free-kick for Real, another booking for Barca.
This time it’s Mingueza that receives the yellow card for hanging a leg out to bring down Vinicius Junior on his charge towards goal.
The VAR officials do take a second look to ensure that the challenge didn’t take place inside the box, but they’re satisfied that the free-kick will be taken from just outside the area.
It’s a very dangerous situation.
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REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA
25. It’s been a captain’s performance from Benzema so far. Not only is his wonderful goal the difference so far, but he’s just demonstrated his defensive capabilities by tracking back to put off De Jong on his charge to goal.
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REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA
24. Benzema goes directly for goal from the free-kick, blasting high over the crossbar.
Perhaps he should have tried the back-heel.
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REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA
22. Pedri brings down Casemiro in a dangerous area, just over 25 yards from the Barca goal.
The challenge also earns the teenager the first booking of the game.
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REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA
20. Madrid look dangerous every time they go forward, and it takes some desperate defending to deny Modric a clear shot on goal.
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REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA
19. Messi takes charge of the set-piece, and sends a teasing curler into the box.
Three players hit the turf in their attempts to connect with the cross, only for the referee to blow up for a foul on Casemiro.
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REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA
18. Pedri does well to win a free-kick, wide on the left and about 40 yards from goal. The visitors send their big men up in preparation.
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REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA
16. Barcelona almost force their way back on to level terms instantly.
Some magic from Messi takes him to the byline, but his chipped cross into the middle is just too high for Dembele to convert.
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REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA
What a goal! What a move!
Federico Valverde bursts forward from the right, and takes advantage of Jordi Alba selling himself short to move into space.
The Uruguayan then picks out the run of Lucas Vazquez down the wing, and the right-back obliges with a lovely first time cross towards the near post.
Arriving ahead of Clement Lenglet is Karim Benzema, who reacts with a wonderful back-heeled flick that beats Marc-Andre ter Stegen to find the corner.
The deadlock has been broken in El Clasico in scintillating style!
