Mbappe Leads Real Madrid’s Charge to End Barcelona’s Clasico Dominance
<p>After enduring a season of disappointment against arch-rivals Barcelona, Real Madrid are looking for redemption in Sunday’s <strong>El Clasico</strong>, with superstar forward <strong>Kylian Mbappe</strong> at the forefront of their resurgence. The French striker’s blistering form has reignited Madrid’s attack as they chase revenge and La Liga supremacy under new coach <strong>Xabi Alonso</strong>.</p><h3>Last Season’s Pain, This Season’s Purpose</h3><p>In the 2024–25 season, <strong>Hansi Flick’s Barcelona</strong> dominated Madrid, winning all four Clasico encounters — twice in La Liga, and once each in the <strong>Copa del Rey</strong> and <strong>Spanish Super Cup</strong> finals. That dominance led to <strong>Carlo Ancelotti’s departure</strong>, marking the end of an era for the Italian tactician.</p><p>However, under Alonso’s leadership, Madrid have rebounded impressively. Heading into Sunday’s clash at the <strong>Santiago Bernabeu</strong>, they sit <strong>two points ahead of Barcelona</strong> at the top of the La Liga table. A victory would not only open up a <strong>five-point gap</strong> but also signal a clear shift in the balance of power.</p><p>While Madrid’s form against top sides remains under scrutiny — particularly after losses to <strong>Paris Saint-Germain</strong> in the Club World Cup and a <strong>5-2 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid</strong> — the Clasico offers the perfect stage to silence the critics.</p><h3>Mbappe’s Meteoric Rise</h3><p>Mbappe’s arrival at Real Madrid was always destined to reshape the club’s attacking identity, but few expected him to adapt so explosively. After a slow start last year, the 26-year-old has found unstoppable form in 2025, scoring in <strong>11 consecutive matches</strong> for club and country before this week’s <strong>Champions League win over Juventus</strong>, where <strong>Jude Bellingham</strong> netted the only goal.</p><p>With <strong>10 goals in La Liga</strong> and <strong>15 across all competitions</strong>, Mbappe has contributed to more than <strong>half (54%) of Madrid’s total goals</strong> this season. He currently leads the La Liga scoring charts, with his lethal combination of pace, positioning, and finishing making him Madrid’s go-to match-winner.</p><p>Coach <strong>Xabi Alonso</strong> insists his team is “not dependent” on Mbappe, but the statistics tell another story. “We are very happy with his performance — he’s being decisive,” Alonso admitted.</p><h3>From Frustration to Fulfilment</h3><p>Mbappe’s journey in Spain hasn’t been smooth. His first Clasico a year ago was one to forget — a 4-0 home defeat where he was caught <strong>offside eight times</strong> and had a goal disallowed. Spanish daily <i>AS</i> described him as “shrunken and without venom.”</p><p>But the French forward used that experience as motivation. “It’s time to change my situation and show who I am as a player,” Mbappe vowed soon after.</p><p>Since then, he has grown into a relentless force. Despite Madrid losing <strong>5-2 in the Super Cup final</strong> and <strong>3-2 in the Copa del Rey final</strong>, Mbappe scored in both games. By May, he was in unstoppable form, scoring a <strong>hat-trick</strong> in Madrid’s narrow <strong>4-3 defeat</strong> at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium. Even in defeat, he had proven that he could dictate the biggest fixture in Spanish football.</p><h3>Tactical Shifts and New Partnerships</h3><p>A key difference this season has been Mbappe’s developing chemistry with <strong>Arda Guler</strong>, the young Turkish playmaker who has added creativity to Madrid’s midfield. “Arda gets between the lines and finds Mbappe well,” Alonso explained. Their partnership has become central to Madrid’s attacking rhythm — Guler’s vision perfectly complements Mbappe’s explosive runs behind defenders.</p><p>Meanwhile, Barcelona’s once solid backline has looked vulnerable this season, conceding more goals than any other side in La Liga’s top four. Flick’s team has drawn praise for its attacking intensity but criticism for its high defensive line — a weakness Mbappe is poised to exploit with his trademark bursts into space.</p><h3>Key Stats Ahead of the Clasico</h3><p><strong>10</strong> – Real Madrid’s consecutive home wins in all competitions, equalling their longest run in a decade.</p><p><strong>44</strong> – Number of offsides Barcelona have drawn this season, more than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues.</p><p><strong>105 vs 104</strong> – Real Madrid narrowly lead the all-time Clasico record, with 52 draws between the two sides.</p><h3>The Stakes</h3><p>A win on Sunday would not only extend Madrid’s lead in La Liga but also serve as a symbolic victory — proof that the Mbappe era has truly begun. With Barcelona struggling for defensive cohesion and Madrid rediscovering their attacking edge, the stage is perfectly set for a new chapter in the iconic rivalry.</p><p>For Mbappe, this Clasico is more than a match — it’s the chance to erase last season’s scars and cement his place in Real Madrid folklore.</p>