Lynchpin: Raphinha’s return to fitness has revived Barcelona’s title charge.
| Photo Credit: AP
The floodlights of LaLiga are blazing again, and football’s greatest rivalry is setting the league on fire.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are locked in a tense title clash, with the latter trailing the defending champion.
Madrid’s horror run last season (trophyless and losing all four El Clasicos) sparked a dramatic response.
The side made big signings and brought in Leverkusen’s ‘Invincibles’ manager Xabi Alonso, with the squad given the Galacticos 3.0 moniker.
On paper, it looked like the perfect reset. However, reality has been far messier.
Alonso’s constant tactical experiments have produced inconsistent results and conflicts between him and his players.
The core issue lies in the lack of a clear on-field identity, caused by the abundance of talent.
Barcelona’s approach, on the other hand, has been silent but deadly. The signing of Roony Bardghji and the loan arrival of Marcus Rashford have brought attacking depth to Hansi Flick’s side.
The defence, however, lost its soul. The decision to let go of Inigo Martinez has put pressure on the back line.
Barcelona’s high-line tactic has forced Gerard Martin into a demanding role, with Pau Cubarsi’s inconsistency further highlighting the need for reinforcements.
The title-holder’s fortunes rest on Raphinha’s output. He was a Ballon d’Or contender last season (fifth-place finish), where he matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League G/A record (22). The UCL semifinal loss to Inter Milan ended his Ballon d’Or hopes, but that fuelled his hunger for this season.
Understandably, the team’s spectacular start briefly derailed when Raphinha suffered a thigh injury.
The leader’s absence saw a drop in the team’s fighting spirit and pressing intensity, contributing to defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real.
His return to fitness helped the Catalans regain their mojo.
With Pedri dominating the midfield, both Joan Garcia and Eric Garcia in top form, Barcelona looks increasingly comfortable.
Real was in rollicking form and on top of the table this season, but it all came crumbling down since its El Clasico win.
Who’ll gain momentum in the new year?
Published – January 04, 2026 08:00 pm IST
