Real Madrid hosted Barcelona at the prestigious Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and, after a powerful attacking performance, convincingly won the tenth La Liga fixture.
On the other hand, Barcelonas disappointing El Clásico defeat confirms the issues within this squad and widens the gap between the two teams in the standings.
Following this game, Real Madrid is still top with 27 points while Barcelona remain second with 22.
This puts more pressure on Barcelona for the upcoming period and obliges them to win all of the forthcoming games strictly.
For Real Madrid, this win comforts everyone and will allow Xabi Alonso to work without much pressure for the coming period.
His team put on a compelling performance in one of the most decisive games of the season.
In this El Clásico tactical analysis, we will examine Real Madrids high-pressing plan and how it helped them gain an advantage over Hansi Flicks Barcelona and limit their playmaking, while exploring Barcelonas key errors and what they lacked in attack.
Real Madrid Vs Barcelona Lineups & Formations
Alonso started the match in the 4-3-1-2 formation, with Thibaut Courtois in goal, Federico Valverde at right-back, Éder Militão and Dean Huijsen as centre-backs, and Álvaro Carreras at left-back.
In midfield, Alonso preferred to start with Eduardo Camavinga as a defensive midfielder, and the player was crucial in this match thanks to his defensive work, penetrations, attacking support, interceptions, and ability to cover a wide area.
Both Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler were used as central midfielders, with Güler leaning to the right more often and exchanging positions with Jude Bellingham whenever needed.
The latter was mainly used as an advanced playmaker, and his contributions were very valuable to Real Madrids attack.
He served the main striker, Kylian Mbappé, with key passes throughout the match and made dangerous penetrations towards the box.
Vinícius Júnior played as a second striker who often cut in from the left wing.
Hansi Flick opted for the usual 4-3-3 formation for Barca, knowing the team was missing a few key players whose absences were felt in this match.
We are talking mainly about Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, and Gavi.
Barcelona started the match with Wojciech Szczęsny as a goalkeeper, Jules Koundé as a right-back, Pau Cubarsí and Eric García as centre-backs, and Alejandro Balde as a left-back.
In midfield, Frenkie de Jong was the defensive midfielder, with Pedri and Fermín López playing as central midfielders, even though López had even more freedom to advance and be like an advanced playmaker.
Upfront, the team relied on Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford on the wings, with Ferran Torres as a striker, but the three players performances were not good enough to trouble Real Madrid in this game.
![Real Madrid Vs Barcelona [2–1] La Liga 2025/2026: Xabi Alonso Efficient High Pressing Plan & Hansi Flick Worn-Out Defensive Style – Tactical Analysis](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Real-Madrid-Vs-Barcelona-2–1-La-Liga-20252026-Xabi-Alonso-Efficient-High-Pressing-Plan-Hansi-Flick-Worn-Out-Defensive-Style-–-Tactical-Analysis-1.jpg "Real Madrid Vs Barcelona [2–1] - La Liga 2025/2026: Xabi Alonso High Press Exposes Hansi Flick Defensive Flaws In El Clásico – Tactical Analysis 2")
Real Madrid High Pressing Plan & Its Impact On Barcelona
Real Madrid started one of the most important matches of the season in almost perfect fashion, applying efficient high pressure on Barcelona, creating a lot of threat in their final third, and eventually scoring their first goal early in the game, only for it to be disallowed.
And despite disallowing it, Real Madrids first goal showcases several truths about both teams.
![Lazio Vs Napoli [0–2] – Serie A 2025/2026: Maurizio Sarri Zonal Marking Weaknesses And Unsuccessful Attacking Choices – Tactical Analysis](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Lazio-Vs-Napoli-tactical-analysis--350x250.png "Lazio Vs Napoli [0–2] – Serie A 2025/2026: How Antonio Conte Tactics Exploited Structural Flaws – Tactical Analysis 6")
