Barcelona made light work of arch-rivals Real Madrid throughout the 2024/25 campaign on the way to a domestic treble.
However, Los Blancos will be determined to change that story next term, especially in La Liga.
The Catalans stormed forward, lost momentum, and let Madrid back into the race before stomping out their challenge at the Olympic Stadium. Barca raced away with the trophy, led by new gaffer Hansi Flick.
This complete dominance forced Madrid to part ways with head coach Carlo Ancelotti, hiring managerial phenom and former Los Blancos midfielder Xabi Alonso to replace the Italian tactician.
Madrid also began reinforcing crucial areas. There were gaping holes in the team that left them susceptible, and if they address those issues, they will be back in business.
Read on as we analyse how the infamous El Clasico rivalry between Barca and Madrid will shape up next season.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid 2024/25
Barca began a new cycle under Flick, and the German was eager to prove himself again after an acrimonious time with the German national team.
The 60-year-old introduced his no-holds-barred brand of football, suffocating teams with a vicious press and pouncing at speed.
Spearheaded by Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal, Barca shot out of the blocks.
They claimed 12 wins from their first 13 games, including a 4-0 mauling of Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The cash-strapped Catalans were forced to turn to their famous youth system, and it paid dividends. The first-teamers were always in top form, and the emerging class wanted to prove themselves.
Barca were imperious and marched unimpeded until matchday 38, seeing off a tame challenge from Madrid.
They will be eager to repeat the trick next season, clinching back-to-back league honours for the first time since 2017-2019.
Follow Flick’s side as they look to topple Madrid again next season. Buy Barcelona tickets from Seatsnet.com to enjoy their sumptuous football live.
But trouncing wounded lions like Madrid twice in a row is easier said than done. Despite adding Kylian Mbappe to the ranks, they could barely knock Barca off their stride this term.
The Frenchman played his part with 31 goals and 15 big chances created, but his teammates struggled to match his level. Injuries played their part.
Defenders David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal missed a chunk of the season on the treatment table. Rodrygo and Vinicius were also not up to their usual standards.
Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham, who had taken La Liga by storm the previous season, had a more subdued campaign, and Madrid never lived up to their potential on paper.
Madrid will be eyeing a return to the top of the pile and have spent the summer arming themselves to reclaim their throne.
Watch Alonso’s side as they bid to wrestle the championship back. Buy Real Madrid tickets from the secondary marketplace Seatsnet.com to cheer Los Blancos in this battle for supremacy.
Reinforcing the ranks for battle
Despite their financial situation, Barca signed young goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who prevented the most goals in La Liga this season (7.49).
Barca are also close to signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, who will add firepower to the already fearsome frontline. The Spanish international will add a new dimension to the attack.
If they can add a right-back to provide cover for Jules Kounde, they will have strengthened themselves enough for the battle ahead.
On the other hand, Madrid needed a makeover. They recognised the need for a successor for Dani Carvajal and picked up Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer, much to the chagrin of Liverpool fans.
Los Blancos then pipped Chelsea and Liverpool to highly-rated Spanish centre-half Dean Huijsen after his remarkable season in the Premier League to help bolster their thinning defence.
They remain in the market for Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras and have identified the need for a central midfielder to control proceedings the way Toni Kroos did for years.
The departure of Luka Modric leaves another massive hole in the engine room, and Alonso is well aware that they must do something about it.
A different mould at centre-forward could also be on the agenda. Joselu played a small but mighty role in the 2023/24 success, and Madrid need someone of his ilk on the roster following his exit.
Madrid will put up a much better fight if they can bring in the right reinforcement in the window, setting the stage for some memorable clashes with their arch-nemesis next season.
Head-to-head and prediction for 2025/26
Barca torched Los Blancos multiple times during the 2024/25 campaign, starting with a 4-0 beatdown in Madrid. Barca blew their rivals out of the park with a remarkable second-half performance.
The second leg was a more tightly contested affair, with Mbappe bagging a hat-trick, but it was not enough, as the Barca frontline proved the difference.
It did not help that Barca also pummelled Madrid on their way to the Copa del Rey and Super Cup trophies, leaving their rivals empty-handed across four match-ups.
Barca are on a four-game winning streak against Madrid, and Los Blancos will need to improve to snap that horrendous run.
Form has always played a key role in El Clasico showdowns. Barca got into their stride early and dealt Madrid several blows this season.
The reverse was the case last term. Madrid had the momentum and won all their meetings with Barca.
Whichever team finds their groove early enough can carry that momentum into El Clasico and land decisive blows.
Barca looked imperious this season, and adding those crucial components will make them even more formidable next term. They could replicate their dominance, especially in El Clasico fixtures.
Madrid have too many structural and profile issues to solve and may struggle to get into their stride early enough, allowing their rivals to run through them again.
