FC Barcelona arrives much stronger in its midfield to the first Clásico of the season. Unlike Real Madrid, the culés are much clearer about their base scheme, with a very compact block in the 4-2-3-1 formation that Hansi Flick likes so much. Barça now depends less on possession and bets more on verticality and the reduction of spaces, with high pressure that is difficult for rivals to resist.
For his part, Carlo Ancelotti still cannot find the key to exploit the offensive power that, in theory, a team that has incorporated Kylian Mbappé this year should boast, without forgetting Endrik Felipe, who has barely participated as a substitute.
Madrid, at times, opts for a 4-1-4-1 as an alternative to a 4-3-3 which, without Toni Kroos, is no longer effective due to not having a 'play maker' to do the tactical work of the former German international. Individually, this is how we see the duels between Barça and Madrid in the center of the field:
The Pedri-Casadó duo, a revelation that overshadows Valverde and Tchouaméni
Individually, the Barça midfield looks more solid. Despite not having signed a defensive pivot in the summer, Hansi Flick has found in Marc Bernal (first) and Marc Casadó (later) the ideal partners for Pedri González, who has assumed the role of setter/recoverer in the absence of names like Frenkie, Gavi and Christensen himself. Not in vain, the Tenerife native is the team leader in recovered balls, with 7, while Casadó has done the same with 4 recoveries.
Valverde and Tchouaméni, yes, are the tournament leaders in recovered balls, with 21 and 20, respectively. It is difficult for Madrid to string together plays and this forces the Uruguayan and the Frenchman to run more than necessary, making an enormous display to cover the gaps that Toni Kroos normally covered with solvency.
The German's absence has forced 'Carletto' to depend, more than necessary, on a Luka Modric who is still in a position to save a game at 39 years old, but without the necessary muscle to be the undisputed starter. The Croatian and the 'Charrúa' added a couple of assists each, while Casadó and Pedri have collaborated with one per side.
Dani Olmo, much more effective than Jude Bellingham
On the offensive side, Jude Bellingham has been one of the big disappointments of the white season so far. The arrival of Kylian Mbappé has forced him to move back several meters on the field and, for now, he has not managed to score and has barely given an assist.
On the contrary, Dani Olmo has 3 goals despite having been injured for a month. Fermín López, who also spent six weeks in the infirmary, was also much more decisive than the Englishman on the last day of the Champions League, with two key assists for the culé's victory over Bayern Munich.