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Mbappé Out, Barcelona Leads; Coach Flick’s Father Dies, Players Fined

5/11/2026

Summary

Barcelona Honors Flick

Real Madrid will be without Kylian Mbappé, injured on April 24, for Sunday’s Clasico at Camp Nou.
Barcelona leads LaLiga by 11 points with games left, and a win or draw could clinch the title.
Real Madrid fined Valverde and Tchouaméni €500,000 each after a training-ground fight left Valverde with a head injury.
Barcelona will wear armbands and hold a minute’s silence after coach Hansi Flick’s father died hours before kickoff.

Summary

Clasico Lineups

The Clasico will be played at Spotify Camp Nou with a kickoff, marking the 250th meeting.
Real Madrid listed Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo García, Brahim Díaz and Franco Mastantuono among forwards.
Real Madrid named David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raúl Asencio, Álvaro Carreras and Antonio Rüdiger defenders and Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin and Sergio Mestre as goalkeepers.
Barcelona’s squad includes João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araújo, Gavi, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.

History

Historical Context

In 1978 Real Madrid captured its 19th La Liga crown, finishing four points ahead of runners-up Sporting Gijón while Barcelona lagged, amid financial strain and Luis De Carlos becoming president after Santiago Bernabéu’s death. The season’s austerity and intensified rivalry highlighted governance challenges in Spanish football. Today’s Clasico echoes that legacy as both clubs manage emotional gestures and squad limits.

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Barcelona Honors Flick

Real Madrid will be without Kylian Mbappé, injured on April 24, for Sunday’s Clasico at Camp Nou.
Barcelona leads LaLiga by 11 points with games left, and a win or draw could clinch the title.
Real Madrid fined Valverde and Tchouaméni €500,000 each after a training-ground fight left Valverde with a head injury.
Barcelona will wear armbands and hold a minute’s silence after coach Hansi Flick’s father died hours before kickoff.

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