Barcelona are preparing meticulously for El Clasico against Real Madrid, with defender Pau Cubarsi revealing they are changing four key defensive elements to counter the threat of Kylian Mbappe. The 18-year-old prodigy is gearing up for a tough test against the French forward and Vinicius Junior when the injury-ravaged teams go head-to-head in Sunday's headline clash.
Barcelona’s fragile defence and tactical overhaul
As the Clasico countdown intensifies, Barcelona’s defensive line faces its toughest test of the season. La Blaugrana arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu amid an uncertain run that saw them lose to Paris Saint-Germain and suffer a 4-1 defeat to Sevilla, exposing Hansi Flick’s high defensive line and a lack of sharpness when pressed by top opponents. With key players like Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen, Gavi and Joan Garcia out injured, Barca's preparation for the clash has been far from easy.
To prepare, Cubarsi says Barcelona have “tweaked four things” with the aim of cutting off Madrid’s attacks and silencing Mbappe. Flick’s system has shifted slightly from a wide build-up to a narrower defensive structure, ensuring faster recovery runs and tighter marking on Madrid’s forwards.
In contrast, Los Blancos though also struggling with injuries to David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal, the club have leaned heavily on the brilliance of Mbappe, who leads La Liga with 10 goals, and Vinicius, whose pace and dribbling remain game-changing. The French forward's explosiveness has turned him into Madrid’s focal point, while the Brazilian desire to regain his elite status adds edge to his game.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportCubarsi reveals Barcelona's defensive 'tweaks'
Wins against Girona and Olympiacos in the past week have lifted Barca's spirits, but defender Cubarsi says a lot more work has been going on in the background to ensure they are ready for the upcoming test, focusing on Mbappe and Vinicius in particular.
“Everyone knows who Mbappe is. We have to keep an eye on him and all of Madrid's world-class players," Cubarsi told reporters. “We've tweaked four things and it has to go well for us. We'll have to stop him in the best way possible, but especially focus on ourselves. We have to continue with our philosophy. Last year went well. Now the teams have evolved, but if we tweak a few things, we can improve."
Asked about Vinicius, he added: "He's an agile and quick striker who moves into space. We have to be very alert at the back to stop him."
The Barca centre-back further emphasised the importance of Flick, despite the fact that he is very likely to miss the bench against Madrid after being sent off against Girona. "He's important inside and outside. What we want is for him to help us from within; and if not, from outside," Cubarsi said.
Barca must be extra cautious with Madrid's leading men
Madrid’s forward line is the most lethal in Europe this season, powered by a reinvigorated Mbappe and a determined Vinicius. Mbappe’s 10 goals and two assists in just nine La Liga appearances have redefined Madrid’s attacking identity. His leadership and relentless drive have filled the void left by Karim Benzema, while his chemistry with Arda Guler has become Madrid’s main creative weapon.
Vinicius, however, enters the Clasico with something to prove. Once the unstoppable left-wing force, he has struggled for rhythm and consistency under Xabi Alonso. His five goals and four assists in nine games reflect flashes of brilliance, but not dominance. Reports of him rejecting a new contract, wanting to be the highest-paid player at Madrid, have added an extra layer of tension to his form. Yet, Mbappe’s vocal support of him has steadied the dynamic. With Madrid also missing key defenders, Alonso will rely heavily on their directness and speed to test Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo early.
GettyFlick's men 'very positive' ahead of Clasico test
Despite recent setbacks, Flick’s Barcelona still believe they can outplay Madrid with patience and identity. The German manager has urged his players to “trust their instincts” while correcting positional discipline, something missing in recent games. Flick’s expected absence from the touchline due to suspension will be a psychological blow, but his tactical imprint remains clear.
After a 6-1 win against the Greek side in midweek, Cubarsi feels positive as he addressed his ability to adapt to a new position in defence.
“Scoring six goals for a Champions League team boosts your morale and helps you be more focused in front of goal. It's a very, very positive thing,” he said. "I haven't played that many games on the left and I felt like I was in a more familiar position, but it's also helped me improve football-wise. It doesn't change much, although on the right, since I've played there more, I find space and open players more quickly. I like the left, and it will help me in the future."
He further added: “We're all at a spectacular level. I'm also very comfortable with Eric [Garcia], just as I was at the Olympics alongside him. With this season's center backs, we can achieve great things.”
