Five key statistics ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona

FC Barcelona take on Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu later this evening. Coming back from a 3-3 draw with Inter Milan, it would be imperative for the away side to secure a win, in their quest to revive confidence within the camp.

With the Catalans currently leading Real Madrid only through goal difference, a win would also help them secure a three-point lead over their arch-rivals.

This will be an important game for Xavi Hernandez as well, as the Spanish tactician has been facing immense pressure following Barça’s draw with Inter Milan that put the club on the brink of another elimination from the Champions League group stages.

Xavi historically has an excellent record against Real Madrid. Apart from the team’s inspired 4-0 win last season, Xavi, during his playing career, had registered ten assists in El Clasico, eight of which came at Santiago Bernabeu. Only Lionel Messi has a tally of more assists at the Bernabeu in the history of the fixture.

Despite the setback in midweek, Xavi’s men also have done well in the domestic competitions thus far. After Atalanta conceded a goal to Sassuolo in Serie A, FC Barcelona are now the only team in Europe’s top five leagues that are yet to be trailing in the scoreline.

Barcelona have also registered an excellent record against Real Madrid in the 21st century. Since the start of the new millennium, they have registered 14 wins, compared to Real Madrid’s nine. Their tally of 56 goals is also much higher than the Whites’ 41.

In fact, it is one of Barcelona’s most decorated players Dani Alves, who has the record of registering the most wins against Real Madrid. The Brazilian had won 23 times against Los Blancos. He was also the oldest player to feature against the Whites, being a part of the Barça side that secured a 4-0 victory last season, at the age of 38 years and 314 days.

Another Barcelona player who has an excellent record against Real Madrid is Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German was the only goalkeeper in history to record clean sheets in three consecutive away Clasicos (2017 to 2019). He was also the only goalkeeper to keep three clean sheets against the Whites in the same calendar year (2019).

Although ter Stegen had struggled with form in the subsequent years, the German is once again back to his best this term and will be one of Barcelona’s key performers as they take on the reigning Spanish champions later this evening.