Five key stats ahead of Barcelona vs Real Madrid

El Clasico has often seen waves of one-sidedness over the course of 247 times Barcelona and Real Madrid have faced each other. While the balance of power was largely towards the Catalans since Pep Guardiola came in charge, and even under Ernesto Valverde, the tilt has shifted recently.

Madrid have won the last four games against Barcelona, registering 1-2, 2-1, 1-3, and 2-0 scorelines. In fact, the last time those in garnet and blue came out on top was in March 2019, when Ivan Rakitic scored the only goal of the game.

This could be Los Blancos’ chance to make history with five wins in a row as the eternal rivals are set to lock horns in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final tonight. But what are the other statistics that dictate the proceedings heading into this mouth-watering clash?

Let’s start with the coaches in question. Xavi and Carlo Ancelotti are familiar foes, and this will be the 10th time they lock horns, albeit on a different plateau. All of their last nine meetings have come when the former was a player, with the first meeting all the way back in October 2004.

Xavi has played 9 games against Carlo Ancelotti managed teams, winning four times and losing thrice. He has 1 goal and 2 assists in those 9 games.

Tonight they face each other on the same plane. pic.twitter.com/n3qYbTOuuE

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 12, 2022

Lionel Messi wrote the headlines in El Clasico for more than a decade, with his first career hattrick spanning back as a 19-year-old vs Real Madrid. Sergio Ramos is another name who has highlighted his presence in this fixture, probably not in the best way.

El Clasico individual records:

Most goals: Messi (26)
Most assists: Messi (14)
Most games: Messi & Ramos (45)
Most wins: Gento (21)
Most losses: Ramos (20)
Most Red Cards: Ramos (5)
Most clean sheets: Valdes (7)

— @OptaJose pic.twitter.com/1N0sprSkpA

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 12, 2022

Speaking of individual records, Madrid talisman Karim Benzema has a rather impressive record against Barcelona – the best of any player in the two current squads.

Karim Benzema has 10 goals, 9 assists against Barcelona.

Dani Alves and Jordi Alba are tied for the most goal contributions against Real Madrid from the current squad with 2 goals, 5 assists each. pic.twitter.com/Oa9ylyMzse

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 12, 2022

Of their 247 games against each other, only 14 have been contested in the Spanish Super Cup. Unfortunately, Madrid seem to have the stronghold over Barça in this competition.

Real Madrid have scored in each of their 14 games against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, averaging 2.4 goals per game in the last 7 meetings.

— @OptaJose pic.twitter.com/4q0QUaPhho

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 12, 2022

This will be only the fifth time the rivals will battle it out in January in the last 25 years. Barcelona boast of a rather impressive record in January Clasicos.

4 El Clasicos have been played in January in the last 25 years. Barcelona have lost none of them. (W2, D2)

— @Barca19stats pic.twitter.com/ED2SrzELRk

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 12, 2022