El Clasico of the limping wounded

Neither Barca nor Real at their best

Madrid – Sunday’s “Clasico” between Real Madrid and Barcelona may have huge ramifications on the La Liga title race but poor showings in the Champions League mean the fixture is lacking its usual billing as a battle between the two best teams in the world.

Real Madrid lost 2-1 at home to Manchester City in their last-16 first leg while Barcelona drew 1-1 at Napoli, a result which seemed to confirm Lionel Messi’s fears that they are not good enough to win the trophy.

Barca take a two-point lead into the clash on Sunday after Real drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo and lost to Levante in their last two league fixtures.

“This Clasico is like a race between two injured people. The reality is the two teams are doing very badly,” said former Real Madrid and Argentina forward Jorge Valdano.

“Barcelona’s recovery owes far more to Real’s decline than their own merits.”

Both sides head into the game with their own selection issues, with Madrid light on forwards due to the absence of Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard and Rodrygo. Barca, meanwhile, need to fill holes all over the pitch, with Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez all injured and Gerard Pique facing a battle to be fit.

Reality is the two teams are doing badly