Espanyol climbed provisionally third in LaLiga with a 1-0 win over promoted side Elche on Saturday, to celebrate their 125th anniversary in style.

Carlos Romero's second-half goal earned a second consecutive victory for Manolo Gonzalez's team, who have started the season strongly after finishing 14th last season.

Espanyol, founded on October 28, 1900, opened a special fan zone outside the stadium with music and food to mark their anniversary.

Villarreal can overtake Espanyol later on when they visit Valencia in an east coast derby.

Earlier Real Oviedo rescued a 3-3 draw at Girona in a battle between the bottom two sides.

On Sunday league leaders Real Madrid face champions Barcelona, second, in a Clasico battle.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said his team are arriving at Sunday's LaLiga Clasico in better shape after correcting mistakes made in their derby thrashing by Atletico Madrid.

Los Blancos suffered a humiliating 5-2 beating by rivals Atletico in their only defeat of the season after 12 games across all competition.

Alonso's side hold a two-point lead on Barcelona at the top of the table as they prepare to host the champions this weekend at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"Without doubt a few weeks have passed in which we have been correcting things, doing things better," Alonso told a news conference Saturday.

"For tomorrow, we are arriving in a good moment, both in terms of morale, in a footballing sense, our competitive level – it's a good moment."

Alonso's side were hammered 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinals this summer and the Clasico offers them another chance to prove they can handle the biggest occasions.

"These are important games, and I don't just like to evaluate based on result, but on the process, right?" said Alonso.

"In this process of 12 games there has been growth. There's still room to improve but we're just (about to reach) November.

"No trophies have been given out, no medals have been won. There is a long way to go this season, but right now the most important thing is tomorrow. We only have tomorrow's Clasico in our heads."

Last season Barcelona beat Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid in both league Clasicos as well as in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals.

"There could be similar situations (in this game) so we have analysed them, but the moment is different for them and for us," said Alonso, who took charge in June.

"Our project is different, it's starting, we're working on things daily and for tomorrow we will try and bring forward our strengths and have a good game."

Alonso confirmed he would have virtually all players available for the game, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen expected to be fit after injury problems.

Barcelona will face LaLiga leaders Real Madrid in Sunday's El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu without their Brazil forward Raphinha, assistant coach Marcus Sorg confirmed on Saturday, as the Catalan side grapple with an extensive injury list.

The 28-year-old Raphinha, who has not recovered from a leg muscle injury, joins a host of high-profile absentees, including Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi and goalkeepers Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

With 10 players sidelined since August, Barca’s injury crisis has left their squad severely depleted ahead of one of the most crucial fixtures of the season.

Despite Raphinha's setback, the Spanish champions remain optimistic that they can count on key players Ferran Torres, Joules Kounde, Andreas Christensen and Frenkie De Jong, who all took part in Saturday's team practice.

"Any team would miss Raphinha, but the situation is what it is. He is injured," Sorg told a press conference.

"We'll see if Ferran (Torres) starts, we'll decide tomorrow. Jules Kounde also trained this morning and may play. I still have no idea about the starting eleven."

Torres left Spain's camp early with leg muscle fatigue, while De Jong missed three training sessions this week due to a illness and Kounde was forced out of the 6-1 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League in midweek after a blow to the leg.

The injuries further complicate the Catalans' selection headaches for the crucial encounter against Real Madrid, who sit two points ahead of second-placed Barca after eight games.

FLICK SUSPENDED AFTER RED CARD

Sorg will take charge on Sunday with Barca manager Hansi Flick suspended after being shown a red card during the 2-1 win over Girona in LaLiga on October 18 for allegedly protesting against refereeing decisions in the dying minutes of the match.

Sorg acknowledged that 60-year-old German Flick's absence will be felt but insisted the team remains prepared.

"Flick will always be missed because he's one of the most important parts of the team," he said.

"I think to have Flick on the sidelines, because the players trust him, he gives them confidence. His absence does have an influence. But Flick is in a good mood, positive, motivated."

Despite the mounting challenges, Sorg expressed confidence about taking charge of the prestigious fixture.

Barcelona enjoyed four consecutive wins over Real in three competitions last season, putting 16 goals past them including a 4-0 rout at the Bernabeu and a 5-2 Super Cup final win.

"It's an honour to be on the bench leading this team. It will be a tough match and I hope we can show our strengths," said Sorg, who will face Real's new manager Xabi Alonso.

"Real have made progress from last year, they press high up the pitch, I think that's changed (from the previous term). You never know what can happen at the Bernabeu ... We have to control our emotions and we’re ready.”

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal will be motivated by criticism ahead of the Clasico, said the club's assistant coach on Saturday.

Teenage winger Yamal has been in the spotlight in the Spanish capital after joking that Real Madrid "steal" and "complain" during an appearance on a social media stream.

Spanish champions Barca face Real Madrid on Sunday in LaLiga at the Santiago Bernabeu, looking for a fifth consecutive win over their rivals.

"Lamine is a top player and I think (the criticism) will be motivating for him," Marcus Sorg, coach Hansi Flick's assistant, told a news conference.

"I hope we all see him tomorrow (give) the best performance."

The 18-year-old Spain international will be up against Madrid left-back Alvaro Carreras, whom he struggled against at times last season as Barcelona faced Benfica on three occasions in the Champions League.

"Lamine is always motivated and if I remember right, we won all three games against Benfica," noted Sorg.

Flick is suspended for the game after a red card last weekend during the win over Girona, with Sorg taking over duties on the touchline.

"Honestly, Hansi is missing always if he is not there because he's the most important part of the team," said Sorg.

"It's a disadvantage of course, (but) it's the same as (missing) players, we have to deal with it. Everyone knows what he expects and I think we will do it."

Barcelona will be without winger Raphinha, who has suffered a setback in his return from a hamstring injury.

"Raphinha – every team would miss him but it is how it is, we have enough players and have to deal with it," said Sorg.

The assistant coach said Jules Kounde had trained on Saturday after a knock and may be fit enough to feature against Madrid, along with Ferran Torres.

Barcelona have several other players ruled out through injury, including Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo and Gavi.

No English player has appeared in a Clasico for Barcelona since Gary Lineker in the 1980s, but Marcus Rashford should end that run on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

An injury to winger Raphinha opened the door for Rashford to prove his worth in the first months of his loan from Manchester United.

Rashford has five goals and six assists in 12 games for Hansi Flick's side, mostly operating on the left wing.

The 27-year-old struck twice in the Champions League on Tuesday as Barca routed Olympiacos 6-1 to gear up for the match against bitter rivals and league leaders Real Madrid.

Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to return from injury to Los Blancos' squad for the Clasico, meaning Rashford could end up facing his England teammate.

After arriving at Barcelona in the summer, Rashford admitted that he was grateful for the opportunity and would make the most of it, even if he could only play a bit-part role.

However, he is the only Barcelona attacker to participate in every single match this season for his club and he is starting to thrive.

"It's a very easy team to enjoy the football (we're playing)," said Rashford this week.

A loan move to Barcelona from Man United seemed the ideal situation for both clubs and the player himself in the summer.

Out of favour under coach Ruben Amorim, United wanted him gone, having publicly doubted his commitment and desire, while Barcelona were looking for a back-up forward without breaking the bank, given their financial woes.

For Rashford, joining the Spanish champions offered an attractive fresh start. The forward took the number 14 shirt, worn previously by Thierry Henry.

"To wear this shirt is an honour and I'm ready to do my best," said Rashford, and after a few games to bed in, he began to make a positive impact.

In eight of his last nine games, Rashford has either scored or provided an assist, and has also earned free-kick duties.

"He's giving me 100 per cent of what I want from him," said Flick after Rashford's brace against Olympiacos.

The forward played in the No 9 position in that game, showing he can fill in for injured veteran Robert Lewandowski and maybe even claim the position as his own.

TIMEKEEPING

Rashford drew some negative headlines back home after he was dropped for a match against Getafe in September after arriving two minutes late for a morning meeting.

Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer said it was "unprofessional" of him, but Rashford is far from the only player to have fallen foul of Flick's timekeeping rules.

Jules Kounde and Raphinha are two more who have been benched for similar infringements.

Rashford's delivery from corners has been a big threat for Barca, and some fine saves have stopped him from adding to his goal tally.

The forward's first strikes for Barca came in their Champions League opener at Newcastle, netting a superb brace against Shearer's former side in September.

It lifted some of the pressure to fit in off his shoulders and Rashford has continued to improve since then.

However, if there is one area in which Flick would like to see more from Rashford, it is his work-rate and pressing.

The German's system is dependent on a strong press and after his goals against Newcastle, Flick brought it up.

"Our style, how we want to play, is focused on high intensity and this is what I want to see also from him," said the coach.

Rashford would cost Barcelona 30 million euros ($35 million) to buy at the end of the season.

For now it seems a sensible option, and if Rashford can help Barca overcome Real Madrid on Sunday, it would become an increasingly obvious one.

These three players could see their popularity reach a whole new stratosphere with a strong performance in Sunday’s ELCLASICO.

So many of the best players in the world have played in ELCLASICO over the years, and several of them truly cemented their stardom by producing the goods in this fixture. There is no quicker way to become a superstar than to make an impact for either Real Madrid or for FC Barcelona in football’s biggest rivalry match. That’s what these three players will be looking to do this Sunday, aiming to continue their positive starts to the season into the biggest game of all.

Arda Güler (Real Madrid)

Under Xabi Alonso, Arda Güler has finally been given consistent playing time and he’s making the most of it. The Turkish international has featured in all nine of Real Madrid’s LALIGA EA SPORTS games so far this season and he has three goals and four assists to his name, the most recent of those assists coming for Kylian Mbappé in Los Blancos’ 1-0 victory over Getafe CF last weekend. Güler also boasts a total of 23 key passes so far this league campaign, with no other player in the competition having more.

Still only 20 years of age, Güler is already considered to be one of the most promising players in world football and he knows that another strong performance in ELCLASICO would take his popularity to the next level. He has only played twice against FC Barcelona in his career, a 45-minute and a 65-minute outing, so he’ll hope to be given more time to shine in front of the Bernabéu crowd.

Fermín López (FC Barcelona)

The first game when Fermín López burst on to the scene was actually against Real Madrid. It was a pre-season friendly in the summer of 2023, when he scored one brilliant goal and assisted another in a 3-0 Barça victory during their summer tour of the United States. That helped earn the La Masia academy graduate a place in the first-team squad, and he has gone from strength to strength since then.

The 22-year-old has a good chance of starting this Sunday’s game at the Bernabéu, having overcome an injury which kept him out for three weeks. Just before that injury he turned in a simply sublime performance against Valencia CF, in which he scored two goals, and Barça supporters know by now that he can turn the magic on at any moment. The most he played in any of the four ELCLASICO match-ups last season – all of which FC Barcelona won – was 55 minutes and he’d love to earn more minutes than that this weekend, to show exactly what he can do.

Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid)

Before Real Madrid signed him during the summer transfer window, Franco Mastantuono had also been linked with a move to FC Barcelona. As such, his first ELCLASICO has an extra layer of intrigue. The 18-year-old Argentinian will now take on the club where his idol Lionel Messi achieved so much, and he’ll be desperate to prove himself in this blockbuster game.

Even if Mastantuono doesn’t start this Sunday’s match, he’ll be one to watch if he comes off the bench. Substitutes have decided ELCLASICO in the past and have become immediate heroes for their clubs. There would be no quicker way to make this season a success for the teenager than to score at the Bernabéu this Sunday.

There are so many big games this weekend, including Real Madrid and FC Barcelona’s first clash of the season on Sunday.

Matchday 10 of the 2025/26 LaLiga EA Sports season promises to be a memorable one. Not only is it time for the first El Clasico of the season between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, but there is also a derby match in the Valencian Community between Valencia CF and Villarreal CF, plus a showdown between Real Betis and Atlético de Madrid.

The very first game of the weekend is an attractive one too, as Real Sociedad welcome Sevilla FC to the Basque Country for a Friday night showdown. These are two clubs who have been fighting near the top end of the table in recent years, but La Real currently find themselves inside the relegation zone while Sevilla FC are ninth but aiming higher.

The two other clubs currently inside the relegation zone are Girona FC and Real Oviedo, and they play each other this Saturday. That meeting at the Estadi Montilivi is a clear six-pointer and it’ll be a thrilling watch.

The next of Saturday’s fixtures also pits two teams who are close together in the table up against each other. In this case it’s sixth-placed RCD Espanyol taking on seventh-placed Elche CF. Few would have expected these teams to be challenging for European qualification this season, but that is very much on the table and that makes these three points extremely valuable.

The action then moves to Bilbao, where Athletic Club will come up against Getafe CF. Los Azulones haven’t beaten the Basques in any of their past 10 matches, although seven of these were draws. It should be a very competitive game at San Mamés.

The Saturday night game is the Valencian Community derby at Mestalla between Valencia CF and Villarreal CF. Both their matches finished in 1-1 draws last season, but both fanbases would love to win this game to get one over their regional rivals. Even if they’re fighting at opposite ends of the table, this fixture is always a closely fought affair.

Sunday is El Clasico day, and fans can warm up with an intriguing RCD Mallorca v Levante UD game in the first slot of the day. These two teams are level on eight points, so it should be a competitive duel between these two Mediterranean clubs.

Then, at 16:15 CET, all eyes will be on the Bernabéu and on Real Madrid v FC Barcelona. With Los Blancos just two points ahead in the LaLiga EA Sports table, this is such a huge game in the title race.

It’s also a big one in terms of pride, and Real Madrid will be determined to achieve a positive result after losing all four of the El Clasico match-ups from last season. Can they get back to winning ways against Barça under Xabi Alonso? We’ll soon find out.

Following El Clasico, there are two more matches on Sunday evening, the first of them between CA Osasuna and RC Celta. The Galicians are the only team still to win a match this league season, so they’ll be extra determined to finally collect three points when they visit Pamplona.

The action then moves back to Spain’s capital, where Rayo Vallecano host Deportivo Alavés. Curiously, this is a fixture that hasn’t finished in a draw since 2003. These clubs have met 12 times since then and there has always been a victor, with Rayo Vallecano edging it seven times and Deportivo Alavés five.

The Monday night game of Matchday 10 is another huge one, taking place at the Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville. There, Real Betis and Atlético de Madrid will face off and it should be a great game, especially with these two teams entering the matchday level on 16 points in fourth and fifth place.

Both clubs want to qualify for the Champions League by the end of the season, so these are three very valuable points on offer.

Watch LaLiga EA Sports live this weekend on SuperSport.

Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford said he hopes to remain at the Spanish club beyond his loan spell from Manchester United, describing the move as the change he needed after spending his entire career in England.

Barcelona are covering Rashford's wages during this season-long loan after the Manchester-born player accepted a pay cut, with an option to buy set at around €30 million ($35 million).

Rashford's United contract runs through 2028, but his future at Old Trafford appears bleak after falling out with manager Ruben Amorim last year. The 27-year-old has since rediscovered his form under Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.

"For sure," Rashford told ESPN when asked if he wanted to remain in Barcelona. "I'm enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player it is an honour."

The England international, who first revived his form during a short loan spell at Aston Villa last season, has gone a step further at Barcelona, scoring five goals and providing six assists in 12 appearances across all competitions.

Ahead of what would be his first El Clasico on Sunday, Rashford said his move abroad has given him a fresh perspective.

"People forget this, but 23 years of my life was with Manchester United. So sometimes you just need a change. I think maybe this is the case with me and I'm enjoying everything," he said.

Last season Barcelona romped to four Clasico victories over Real Madrid but led by in-form striker Kylian Mbappe, Los Blancos are aiming to redress the balance on Sunday in LaLiga.

Hansi Flick's side won a domestic treble, beating Madrid twice in LaLiga and in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals, precipitating the end of Carlo Ancelotti's reign.

The Italian's replacement Xabi Alonso has started well, with Madrid leading Barcelona by two points at the top of the table going into the clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid have some doubts around them regarding their performance in big matches, having lost against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinals this summer and then suffering a 5-2 thrashing by Atletico Madrid in a derby in September.

⏩ NEXT MATCH
🆚 @FCBarcelona
🗓️ 26/10 | 16:15 CET pic.twitter.com/5Pv7MtQX53

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 23, 2025

A victory in the Clasico would open up a five-point gap on their rivals and ease those concerns, while Flick's Barca are yet to reach the same level they managed last season.

Madrid striker Mbappe, however, has hit new heights in the current campaign after finishing the previous campaign strongly.

Mbappe scored in his 11 previous consecutive matches for club and country before Wednesday's Champions League win over Juventus, in which Jude Bellingham netted the only goal.

The 26-year-old has scored 10 of Madrid's 20 LaLiga goals, leading Spain's scoring charts, and has 15 for his club across all competitions, totalling 54 per cent of their goals.

"We're not dependent on him," said Madrid coach Alonso last week, although the statistics hint otherwise.

"We are very happy with his performance, he's being decisive."

Mbappe struggled for confidence and form in his early days at Madrid, with his first Clasico a huge disappointment.

Exactly a year before this weekend's Clasico, Barcelona visited the Bernabeu and came away with a 4-0 victory, a match notable for the French superstar's struggle to beat the Catalans' high defensive line in his first outing against them for Madrid.

Mbappe had one goal disallowed for offside and was caught offside eight times in total. The forward was "shrunken and without venom", wrote Spanish newspaper AS.

"It's time to change my situation and show who I am as a player," pledged Mbappe a few weeks later as Madrid continued to slump.

By the time Mbappe faced Barcelona next, in the Spanish Super Cup final in January, he had clicked into a higher gear.

Madrid were dismantled 5-2, but Mbappe found the net, as he did in their far tighter 3-2 Copa del Rey final defeat.

In May Mbappe, now in full flow, hit a hat-trick against Barcelona but Los Blancos still fell 4-3 at the Olympic stadium as Flick's side virtually wrapped up the league title.

This season Turkish playmaker Arda Guler has started to form a strong connection with the forward, with a knack for spotting Mbappe's bursts forward.

"Arda gets between the lines and there he finds Mbappe well," explained Alonso.

With Barcelona struggling badly in defence at the start of the current campaign, Madrid are confident Mbappe can get in behind to devastating effect on Sunday.

The cancellation of LaLiga's plan to hold a Barcelona match in Miami in December is a "missed opportunity" for Spanish football, the league's president said on Wednesday, while elsewhere its collapse was celebrated.

Champions Barca were set to face Villarreal in the United States on 20 December, which would have been the first European league fixture to be played abroad.

The match will now be held at Villarreal's Estadio de la Ceramica home as normal.

LaLiga said their promoter for the match decided to cancel the organisation of the event because of "uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks".

The league's president Javier Tebas took to X to express regret at not being able to seize "this historic opportunity", adding that Spanish football had missed a chance to "develop, to project itself in the world and reinforce its future".

Villarreal were furious about the timing of the announcement to cancel the plans – the news breaking during their Champions League defeat by Manchester City on Tuesday – and also blasted LaLiga's management of the whole event.

"(We) wish to express our deep displeasure with LaLiga over the poor handling of the match scheduled to be played in Miami," said the club in a statement.

Villarreal said there had been "no progress" in terms of organisation and the club would have "withdrawn from the project" themselves later in the week if various issues were not resolved to their satisfaction at a planned meeting with LaLiga.

The plan to hold the match in the United States had also been criticised by various parties within Spain, contributing towards its cancellation.

The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) organised protests against it last weekend, with players from every team remaining immobile for 15 seconds at the start of each league match.

Spanish giants Real Madrid also railed against it institutionally, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Tuesday it would adulterate the competition.

Madrid captain Dani Carvajal told Tebas the game being held abroad would be "a stain" on the competition.

Tebas added: "We are appealing to the 'integrity of the competition' from those who have been questioning this same integrity for years, putting pressure on referees and managers, constructing distorted narratives or using political and media pressure as a sporting tool."

The president of Spain's Sports Council (CSD), Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes, said LaLiga had not gone the right way about trying to arrange the game.

"The episode we experienced with Miami... shows that this is not the way to do things," he said on Wednesday.

"Before taking an initiative of this nature – a decision so significant that it could undoubtedly have affected the integrity of the competition – it was necessary to have dialogue, an agreement among the participants, all the clubs.

"Of course, the players should be considered, as well as the fans."

'SEISMIC VICTORY'

Rodriguez Uribes said "absolute transparency" was necessary, as well as "appropriate regulations" in place for this kind of game, which do not currently exist.

"At the CSD we will always prefer – as we have said from the very beginning – to bring sporting events to Spain rather than take them out," he added.

The AFE released a statement highlighting "the lack of transparency, dialogue, and coherence" from LaLiga around the game.

"The players spoke out unanimously on the pitch last week to send a powerful message: without players, there is no football," added the footballers' association.

In February, Serie A still plan to hold a match between AC Milan and Como in Perth, Australia, despite a similar backlash from both fans and players.

Football Supporters Europe (FSE), a representative body on fan issues, celebrated the cancelation of the Miami match as a "seismic victory", and warned the Italian top flight to abandon their plans.

"Doubling down on this failed idea would be an act of self-inflicted damage to the league's reputation, to Italian football, and to the game as a whole," said FSE in a statement.

The cancellation of LaLiga's plan to hold a Barcelona match in Miami in December is a "missed opportunity" for Spanish football, the league's president said Wednesday.

Champions Barca were set to face Villarreal in the United States on December 20, which would have been the first European league fixture to be played abroad.

The match will now be held at Villarreal's Estadio de la Ceramica home as normal.

LaLiga said their promoter for the match decided to cancel the organisation of the event because of "uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks".

LaLiga president Javier Tebas took to X to express regret at not being able to seize "this historic opportunity", adding that Spanish football had missed a chance to "develop, to project itself in the world and reinforce its future".

The plan to hold the match in the United States had been criticised by various parties.

The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) organised protests against it last weekend, with players from every team remaining immobile for 15 seconds at the start of each league match.

Spanish giants Real Madrid also railed against it institutionally, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Tuesday it would adulterate the competition.

Madrid captain Dani Carvajal told Tebas the game being held abroad would be "a stain" on the competition.

Tebas added: "We are appealing to the 'integrity of the competition' from those who have been questioning this same integrity for years, putting pressure on referees and managers, constructing distorted narratives or using political and media pressure as a sporting tool."

Real Madrid host Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday, the first showdown of the season between the LaLiga giants.

Moroccan Brahim Díaz will be the only African player potentially involved this time round, but over the years players from the continent have more than made their mark on one of the game’s elite club fixtures.

We look back at the top 10 appearances for African players in El Clasico down the years.

SAMUEL OKUNOWO (NIGERIA)

Club: Barcelona

El Clasicos: 1

The Nigerian had a brief stay at Barcelona in the 1998/99 season and came off the bench in a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid. He was not in the squad for the other LaLiga fixture that season, which ended in a 3-0 Barça win.

ALEX SONG (CAMEROON)

Club: Barcelona

El Clasicos: 2

Song battled to get into a Barça side that had Sergio Busquets as one of the first names on the teamsheet, and so the Cameroon midfielder was limited to two El Clasico appearances. He came off the bench in a 2-1 LaLiga win in the 2013/14 season and featured in a 2-1 Spanish Super Cup victory the season before, when he was also a substitute.

EMMANUEL AMUNIKE (NIGERIA)

Club: Barcelona

El Clasicos: 3

Injuries heavily impacted the Nigerian forward’s stay at Camp Nou, and in four seasons he did not feature in a single LaLiga clash with Real Madrid. However, he did make three appearances overall, two in the Copa del Rey and one in the Spanish Super Cup. He was never on the losing side: the Copa del Rey games in 1996/97 finished 3-2 and 1-1, while the Super Cup ended 2-1 to the Catalans.

GEREMI NJITAP (CAMEROON)

Club: Real Madrid

El Clasicos: 3

The Cameroon midfielder was at Real between 1999 and 2002 but only featured in three El Clasico matches in that time, recording a win, a draw and a loss, though he played every minute. In 1999/00 he was involved in a 2-2 draw and a 3-0 win, but the following season he was on the end of a 2-0 defeat, and his influence at the club lessened after that.

MAHAMADOU DIARRA (MALI)

Club: Real Madrid

El Clasicos: 4

The Malian defensive midfielder was a key part of the Real Madrid setup under Fabio Capello before his influence waned, limiting him to just four El Clasico appearances. He was unbeaten in those matches and even managed an assist, playing every minute.

He featured in a 2-0 home win in 2006/07, with the return fixture ending 3-3. The following year Real claimed 1-0 and 4-1 victories, with Diarra assisting Gonzalo Higuaín. Despite staying at the club until 2010/11, he did not feature in another El Clasico.

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR (TOGO)

Club: Real Madrid

El Clasicos: 4

The tall Togolese striker featured in four El Clasicos on loan from Manchester City, but only one in LaLiga, none as a starter, all during the 2010/11 season. Real edged Barça 1-0 in the Copa del Rey final as Adebayor came off the bench, while the only league meeting he featured in ended 1-1.

The teams also met in the UEFA Champions League semifinals, with Barça advancing after a 1-1 draw and a 2-0 Real defeat. Incredibly, all of these matches were played between 16 April and 3 May 2011, a span of under three weeks.

MICHAEL ESSIEN (GHANA)

Club: Real Madrid

El Clasicos: 4

All four of Essien’s El Clasico appearances came in the 2012/13 season while on loan from Chelsea, and he was never on the losing side, two wins and two draws. In LaLiga he started a 2-1 win at the Bernabéu and came off the bench in a 2-2 draw.

The teams also met in the Copa del Rey, where Essien started a 1-1 draw in the first leg and came off the bench in a 3-1 away win in the second.

YAYA TOURÉ (IVORY COAST)

Club: Barcelona

El Clasicos: 5

Touré experienced both thumping wins and heavy defeats in his five El Clasico appearances. He lost his first two after joining Barça in 2007/08, as Real won 1-0 and 4-1 in LaLiga. But Touré proved a lucky charm thereafter, Barça won all three of his next games: 2-0 and 6-2 in 2008/09, and 1-0 in the following season.

SAMUEL ETO’O (CAMEROON)

Club: Barcelona

El Clasicos: 8

Real Madrid were the team Eto’o faced most often in his career, alongside Espanyol, 20 times in total, though only eight of those were for Barça. All came in LaLiga, with four wins, two defeats and two draws.

He netted four goals and provided two assists in that period. Eto’o started all eight matches between 2004 and 2009, underlining his influence at the club. He was, of course, once a Real Madrid player himself but never featured against Barça for them.

SEYDOU KEITA (MALI)

Club: Barcelona

El Clasicos: 10

No African player has featured in more El Clasicos than Keita, who was a mainstay of the Barça midfield from 2008 to 2013. He had an exceptional record against Real, winning seven and drawing two of his 10 clashes. His only defeat came in the 2010/11 Copa del Rey final. He didn’t record a goal or assist, but that wasn’t his role, he excelled at keeping Real’s creative threats quiet, and did so superbly.

LaLiga's plan to hold a Barcelona match in Miami in December has been called off because of "uncertainty" about the game within Spain, the Spanish top flight said in a statement on Tuesday.

Champions Barca were set to face Villarreal in the United States on December 20, which would have been the first European league fixture to be played abroad.

LaLiga said their promoter for the match decided to cancel the organisation of the event because of "uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks".

The Spanish top flight said they "deeply regret that the project, which represented a historic and unparallelled opportunity to take Spanish football to the international stage, cannot go ahead".

Tickets for the game at the Hard Rock Stadium were due to become available on Tuesday but organisers said the presale was "delayed" before the plan was scrapped.

The match will now be held at Villarreal's Estadio de la Ceramica home as normal.

"Barcelona respect and accept the decision to cancel the match against Villarreal in Miami... just as we respected and accepted the decision to play when it was made at the time," said Barca in a statement.

The Catalan giants said they regret "the lost opportunity to expand the image of the competition in a strategic market with growth potential" and that US-based fans "will be deprived of witnessing" the game in the flesh.

LaLiga published their statement during Villarreal's 2-0 Champions League defeat by Manchester City.

"It seems to me an absolute lack of respect to put out a statement at halftime of a game about something that was planned but will not happen," said Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia Toral.

"It's a lack of respect to the directors of the club, the club itself, the professionals and the fans.

"Tomorrow the club will make a statement about what they think, those are my thoughts."

The plan to hold the match in the United States was criticised by various parties.

The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) organised protests against it last weekend, with players from every team not moving for 15 seconds at the start of each league match.

Spanish giants Real Madrid also railed against it institutionally, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Tuesday it would adulterate the competition.

Madrid captain Dani Carvajal told LaLiga president Javier Tebas the game being held abroad would be "a stain" on the competition.

LaLiga have been trying to hold a match abroad for several years, with this the closest they have got after European football governing body UEFA granted them permission.

UEFA said they opposed the idea of games being played overseas but would allow it on an exceptional basis, along with a Serie A match set to take place in Australia in February between AC Milan and Como.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said on Tuesday the plan to take Barcelona's LaLiga match against Villarreal to Miami is "adulterating" the competition.

LaLiga announced they were moving the game to the United States in December, which will be the first European League fixture to be held abroad.

"It's totally adulterating the competition," Courtois told a news conference.

"It's easy to talk about the NFL and the NBA (which move locations), they have 82 games and it doesn't change anything for them, and in the NFL it's voted for by the owners of the teams...

"Here it's the opposite... they decided to do it and it adulterates the competition."

Courtois said Barcelona would gain an advantage by facing Villarreal at a neutral stadium, rather than in a normal away game.

"Villarreal away is a difficult game... everyone should play at home and away, apart from for force majeure."

The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) organised protests against the game being moved last weekend, with players from every team not moving for 15 seconds at the start of each league match.

However the protests at the start of each match were not all shown on television broadcasts.

"Hiding it... is censorship and manipulation, and that's not good at all," added Courtois.

Madrid have expressed their disapproval of the match being moved and Spanish media have reported that the club have filed a complaint to the Spanish government.

Coach Xabi Alonso reiterated he is also against the Miami switch.

"My opinion is clear… the club is defending their interests and we will see what happens," said the coach.

Belgian stopper Courtois is set to make his 300th appearance for the club on Wednesday when Real Madrid host Juventus in the Champions League.

"I'm very proud of reaching that number, when you're a kid you dream of playing a game for Real Madrid and tomorrow it will be 300,” said the 33-year-old."

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick admitted on Monday that he did not want his grandchildren to see him behaving as he did when he was sent off after making an obscene gesture as he celebrated a late winner against Girona.

Flick had received a first yellow card on Saturday for protesting against a refereeing decision.

He collected a second for 'an obscene' celebration after Ronald Araujo scored in added time to give Barcelona a 2-1 win.

IN A MOMENT OF ABSOLUTE EUPHORIA, HANSI FLICK HITS THE 'TAKE IT UP THE *SS' GESTURE TO CELEBRATE ARAUJO'S WINNER!https://t.co/9vznJjG6cK

— Viralitity (@Viralitity) October 18, 2025

The red card means Flick will be banned from the bench when second-placed Barcelona visit LaLiga leaders Real Madrid in Sunday's Clasico.

Flick said that his behaviour had changed since arriving in Barcelona, illustrating his point by reviving memories of one of Barcelona's greatest humiliations when they lost 8-2 to the German's Bayern Munich side in 2020.

"Maybe my emotions aren't the same as before. I remember when I was coach of Bayern Munich, the footage of the match against Barca showed that I had the same reaction to the first, second, and eighth goals. People said I never smiled!" Flick told a press conference ahead of Barcelona's Champions League match with Olympiacos on Tuesday.

"Right now, I'm showing more emotion, it's true, because this club has completely changed me," he said.

"I really love this club, I give the best of myself. And I don't like seeing myself in this state on television either, and I don't want my grandchildren to see their grandfather like that. So I probably have to change my behaviour."

❝ I really love Barça. I love Barcelona and the people here. I always try to give my best for this club.❞

❤ Hansi Flick pic.twitter.com/RSvY62YRQ9

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 20, 2025

Some Barcelona officials criticised Saturday's referee, Flick was more conciliatory.

The referee "decided to see it differently, and that's something I have to accept," he said.

Flick also refused to be drawn into responding to a question about whether officials favour Real Madrid.

"What do I say? I've been here for 16 months; you (journalists) have been here much longer and know more. I don't want to say anything about it," he said.

In addition to long-term absentees Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Joan Garcia, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Flick said that forwards Raphinha and Ferran Torres were not fully fit and would miss the Champions League game in the hope that they could play in El Clasico.

Kylian Mbappe extended his goalscoring streak to 11 consecutive games to help Real Madrid reclaim top spot in La Liga with a 1-0 victory at nine-man Getafe on Sunday.

After rivals Barcelona briefly displaced Los Blancos with a narrow win over Girona on Saturday, Xabi Alonso's side restored their two-point advantage before next weekend's Clasico.

Getafe fended off Madrid until Allan Nyom was dismissed a minute after coming on and Mbappe quickly pounced to decide the game in the 80th minute. Alex Sancris was also sent off as Getafe unravelled in the final stages.

T⚪️P of the table! pic.twitter.com/Bp6zu3GoGh

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 19, 2025

Alonso started with Brazilian star Vinicius Junior on the bench, with the Champions League clash against Juventus on Wednesday and Barca's impending visit in mind.

The winger turned out to be key as a second-half substitute, with both of Getafe's red cards issued for fouls on him.

"Vini had a great impact... we told him this morning he could be so important," Alonso told reporters.

"It was a very demanding game, coming here to face Getafe is never easy... it wasn't the prettiest game but we did what we had to do."

Mbappe returned after an ankle problem kept him out of a France World Cup qualifier earlier in the week, leading the line at Getafe's Coliseum stadium.

The French forward had scored in his previous 10 consecutive appearances for club and country and found the net once again.

𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮. pic.twitter.com/LRL3caliBf

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 19, 2025

"We are very happy with how Kylian is going, he's being decisive," said Alonso.

Mbappe twice came close before Getafe earned a foothold in the game and began to frustrate the visitors, stopping them from creating much danger.

Only towards the end of the first period did Madrid perk up again in attack, with Soria saving from Rodrygo Goes after good work by Jude Bellingham.

Getafe's goalkeeper made a good stop from a powerful David Alaba free-kick and Fede Valverde flashed a strike across the face of goal before half-time.

Alonso sent on Vinicius in the second half and his spark began to worry the hosts, who resorted to fouls to fend off the Brazilian.

Bellingham fed Mbappe who fired off target, and then whipped a free-kick inches wide, as Madrid remained comfortably on top.

GETAFE SEE RED

The game changed when Getafe substitute Nyom, under a minute after coming on, needlessly knocked down Vinicius off the ball with his arm and was sent off.

Moments after play restarted, Real Madrid took the lead.

Arda Guler fed Mbappe, who was just onside, and he turned nicely before firing past Soria and in off the post for his 10th league goal of the season, leading the charts both in La Liga and in the Champions League.

🔓💪 Deadlock BROKEN pic.twitter.com/J3pB7zTj2r

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 19, 2025

Getafe continued to self-destruct and Sancris was sent off for a second yellow card, gained for another unneccessary foul on Vinicius, leaving Jose Bordalas's side with nine men.

Alvaro Carreras fired wide after a cheeky scoop over the defence by Vinicius, whom Getafe fans booed.

Despite their significant numerical disadvantage, the hosts had one golden chance to level in stoppage time, but Thibaut Courtois saved from Englishman Abu Kamara with his knee.

"We should not give away this chance, but Thibaut did his job," said Alonso.

Getafe coach Bordalas said he did not believe Nyom deserved to be dismissed before Madrid's opener.

"Nyom's red card changed the game," said the Getafe coach. "For me it's not a red card, yellow at most."

Elsewhere, newly-promoted Elche continued their good start to the season with a 0-0 draw against Athletic Bilbao which left them seventh, one place above their Basque opponents.

Rayo Vallecano climbed into 10th with a 3-0 win at Levante, while struggling Real Sociedad snatched a late 1-1 draw at 10-man Celta Vigo.

Barcelona moved top of La Liga on Saturday after Ronald Araujo struck deep in stoppage time to snatch the champions a 2-1 win over Girona.

The defender, sent on as an emergency forward, netted in the 93rd minute to give Barca a one-point lead over Real Madrid, who visit Getafe on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Thiago Almada earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Osasuna to take them fourth, while Antony's double helped Real Betis secure a comeback draw at third-place Villarreal.

Following two consecutive defeats, Hansi Flick's Barca were only just able to edge Girona, 19th, thanks to Araujo's late goal.

Pedri Gonzalez slotted Barcelona ahead early on but Axel Witsel equalised with a superb overhead kick for a Girona side who came close to securing a deserved point.

"We didn't play our best match but we fought to the end and we scored that goal -- it will give us confidence for the next matches, at least this is what I hope," said Barca coach Flick.

Flick brought Lamine Yamal back into the starting line-up after he recovered from the groin injury that kept him out of Spain's recent World Cup qualifiers.

The teenage winger also missed the 4-1 thrashing by Sevilla in Barcelona's last La Liga outing.

With several players, including striker Robert Lewandowski, out injured, Flick handed a league debut to 17-year-old forward Toni Fernandez.

In line with the protest organised by the Spanish footballers' association against Barca's match against Villarreal in December which has been moved to Miami, both sets of players stood still for 15 seconds after the whistle blew for kick-off.

Barca took the initiative and earned a 13th-minute lead after Jules Kounde and Yamal combined well, allowing midfielder Pedri to casually pass the ball into the bottom right corner.

Girona, who finished in the top four two seasons ago but have struggled ever since, soon found a way back level.

Witsel produced a stunning overhead kick to equalise in the 20th minute.

The visitors exploited Barcelona's high line several times, with Cristian Portu striking the post after getting in behind Barca's defence, while Girona also spurned two more one-on-ones.

Marcus Rashford struck the crossbar with a free-kick at the other end as a warning to the minnows.

'WE NEEDED THIS'

Paulo Gazzaniga made an excellent save at his near post to thwart Rashford, who also had a penalty appeal waved away.

Flick sent on centre-back Araujo as a striker in the final stages in desperation and the Uruguayan delivered deep in stoppage time, finishing off Frenkie de Jong's cross to snatch three points.

Araujo ripped off his shirt in celebration as Barca claimed a victory which seemed improbable after a flat second-half display.

"At the moment we're leading the table so it's a good situation, Real Madrid have to win tomorrow," said Flick.

"We are missing the dynamic we normally have... we needed this goal and this victory today."

Flick was sent off in the final stages for dissent and is set for a touchline ban at the Santiago Bernabeu next weekend, and perhaps beyond after he made a gesture viewed as uncouth in Spain as he celebrated Araujo's goal.

Atletico continued a run of six matches unbeaten with a hard-fought victory over Osasuna to edge ahead of Betis on goal difference.

Summer arrival Almada netted his first goal for the club after 69 minutes to break Osasuna's resistence and decide the game.

"I'm very happy for my first goal but the most important thing is that the team won," Almada told DAZN.

Atletico started the season poorly but are slowly finding their rhythm.

Rojiblancos stopper Jan Oblak made a fine save late on to deny Ante Budimir and secure his team their three points.

"We need to concentrate, games have escaped us because of small details and we're correcting that as we go," said Atletico midfielder Marcos Llorente.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso on Saturday backed LaLiga players protesting against the Spanish top flight's decision to take a match to Miami.

LaLiga announced last week Barcelona's away game at Villarreal will take place in the United States on 20 December, in the first European league fixture to be held abroad.

The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) said on Friday there would be a "symbolic protest" at the start of every LaLiga match this week.

Players from both Oviedo and Espanyol refused to move for the first 15 seconds of their game on Friday, although broadcasts of the game did not show this.

"We are against the match, we believe it distorts the competition," Madrid coach Alonso told a news conference.

"There hasn't been unanimity or consultation for it to be played on neutral ground. The protests are positive, and that sentiment is positive.

"We believe it could happen if there were unanimity, but that's not the case."

LaLiga leaders Real Madrid face Getafe on Sunday and Alonso said striker Kylian Mbappe should be ready to play.

The French superstar has endured ankle discomfort over the past fortnight and missed France's World Cup qualifier against Iceland on Monday.

"Everyone who went with their national teams, except Dean (Huijsen), has returned in good condition," said Alonso.

Barcelona have extended their sponsorship agreement with Spotify until 2030, the club announced on Thursday, with the audio streaming giant continuing to feature on the men's and women's first-team jerseys as well as training kits.

The deal extends a collaboration that began three years ago and ensures Spotify retains naming rights for the Camp Nou until 2034, as the iconic stadium undergoes extensive renovation.

"Both Barça and Spotify are global brands with hundreds of millions of fans worldwide," Barcelona said in a statement.

"This partnership enables both brands to expand their presence in strategic markets and create shared synergies with an international reach, connecting with new audiences and consolidating their global outlook.

"With the reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou on the horizon and an excellent generation of young talent, FC Barcelona and Spotify look towards the future together to shape a new and promising era for the club and its global community."

Injury-hit Barcelona expect to have Lamine Yamal back fit to face Girona in LaLiga on Saturday, in a welcome boost as the Catalans aim to bounce back from a damaging defeat with the Clasico in their sights.

Hansi Flick's side were hammered 4-1 by Sevilla before the international break and must regroup before facing Real Madrid on October 26.

Midfielder Pedri Gonzalez said Barca's performance in Seville was the team's worst under Flick, and since then Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo have suffered injuries to deepen their plight.

However Yamal and Fermin Lopez returned to training this week and are expected to be fit to face Girona, while Raphinha is also nearing a return.

Teenage star Yamal missed the thrashing by Sevilla and then Spain's World Cup qualifiers with the recurrence of a groin problem but should feature against Girona in a derby clash.

Yamal's expected return is a welcome boost for Barca ahead of a busy period, with a Champions League match against Olympiacos following on Tuesday ahead of the Clasico.

Joan Garcia, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are longer-term absentees and Flick's options remain thin, without much room for rotation.

The coach was careful not to further reduce the morale of his players after their collapse at Sevilla.

"It's one match and we lost it, and we have to keep going on," said the coach, praising his team's second half display after an especially poor first period.

It was Barcelona's first defeat of the season, leaving them two points behind leaders Real Madrid, but not their first bad performance.

Barca drew 1-1 at Rayo Vallecano in August after which Flick blasted the team and suggested they had got too big for their boots after winning a domestic treble last season.

"Ego kills success," warned the German coach, hoping to refocus his players' minds.

It seemed to work as even without teenage star Yamal they secured several wins but then after he got hurt again against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, came their heavy defeat at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.

Barca started last season superbly but then collapsed in November and December, allowing Atletico Madrid to overtake them at the top of the table.

Flick will be keen for his team to avoid a similar backslide this season and hosting Girona, 18th, in a derby is a good opportunity for his team to get back to winning ways.

The game will take place at the Olympic stadium on the city's Montjuic hill, with Barca's rebuilt Camp Nou home not yet ready to open amid a series of delays.

"I'm really looking forward to going back to Camp Nou, with all our fans," said midfielder Frenkie de Jong, after renewing his contract until 2029 on Wednesday.

"I don't know the date, but we can't wait."

Real Madrid face Getafe on Sunday, hoping in-form striker Kylian Mbappe has recovered from an ankle problem.

Villarreal, third, host Real Betis while Atletico Madrid welcome Osasuna.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Luis Milla

Getafe midfielder Milla has been his team's key weapon this season, providing five assists – no player in the top flight has more. The Madrid minnows host rivals Los Blancos in a derby clash and if they are to take anything from the game Milla will likely have to play an important role.

KEY STATS

4 - Liga matches Barca have conceded first in

7 - matches unbeaten for Atletico Madrid

28 - yellow cards for Sevilla, the most in the top flight

FIXTURES

Friday (all times GMT)

Oviedo v Espanyol (1900)

Saturday

Sevilla v Mallorca (1200), Barcelona v Girona (1415), Villarreal v Real Betis (1630), Atletico Madrid v Osasuna (1900)

Sunday

Elche v Athletic Bilbao (1200), Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad (1415), Levante v Rayo Vallecano (1630), Getafe v Real Madrid (1900)

Monday

Alaves v Valencia (1900)