Barcelona aiming to put Real Madrid out of sight in Clasico

BARCELONA, OCT 23: For weeks La Liga leaders Barcelona have been eagerly awaiting Sunday's Clasico as a chance to stretch the gap between themselves and rivals Real Madrid to a massive nine points.

Some turbulence in the final approach to the clash at Camp Nou has complicated the picture for Hansi Flick's Spanish champions, who suffered their first defeat of the season at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.

By contrast Real Madrid have won four consecutive matches, thrashing RB Leipzig on Wednesday, and starting to look, for the first time since Jose Mourinho's arrival this summer, like a team.

Despite that, the equation remains favourable for Flick. With Raphinha fit again and teenage winger Lamine Yamal enjoying a state of grace, Barcelona will be confident of building on their six-point lead over third-placed Madrid.

A Clasico often proves a fork in the road. Last season Madrid won the first meeting against Barcelona but Vinicius Junior's outraged reaction at being substituted pulled apart the fragile seams of Xabi Alonso's new era.

The Basque coach was ousted little over two months later, and his replacement Alvaro Arbeloa was unable to stop Madrid finishing a second straight season without winning a major trophy, while Barca retained the Spanish title at a canter.�"AFP