Udaipur, April 27, 2025: For a few days, Barcelona fans may have been reliving the magical nights of January 13 and October 27 last year. What could be a more glorious way to explain Barcelona's performance this season?

First, at the Santiago Bernabeu, and then in the desert of Jeddah, Barca gave their fans performances to remember for a long time. They defeated their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, 4-0 and 5-2 in two matches. Now, as Barca prepares to face Real again in Sevilla, it's only natural that the memories of those two nights are coming back.

Real vs. Barca matches are always intense, and even the dullest games have countless stories to tell. When a team shows such dominance in these encounters, that memory becomes a huge source of motivation.

For a few days, Barcelona fans may have been reminiscing about the magical nights of January 13 and October 27 last year. These were glorious nights that perfectly describe Barcelona's performance this season.

First, at the Santiago Bernabeu, and then in Jeddah, Barcelona gave their fans unforgettable performances. They defeated their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, 4-0 and 5-2 in two matches. Now, as Barcelona prepares to face Real Madrid again in Sevilla, those memories are naturally coming back.

Real Madrid: Barcelona's Final Obstacle

Barcelona has been playing extraordinary football this season and has a great chance of winning the 'treble' by the end of the season. However, Real Madrid stands as the final obstacle. Despite defeating Real Madrid and celebrating their Spanish Super Cup win in January, Real still remains the challenge Barcelona must overcome today.

Even the upcoming stage in La Liga is an obstacle, as Barcelona's surroundings are now all Real Madrid-like, like an octopus wrapping its eight arms around them. However, coach Hansi Flick has already shown that it is possible to escape this trap. Now, Barcelona hopes Flick can win the treble in his first season and gain immortality for the club.

Flick's Tactical Mastery

Flick’s tactical brilliance has played a key role in Barcelona’s success against Real Madrid this season. To win today, Flick will have to once again prove himself as a master tactician. In the first La Liga encounter, Barcelona’s high-line defense strategy helped them catch Real Madrid offside 12 times, with Kylian Mbappé caught offside 8 times. This defense, along with a dynamic build-up, allowed Barcelona to control the match.

In their next encounter, Barcelona switched tactics and took advantage of Real Madrid’s weak defense, ultimately winning 5-2. Flick neutralized Jude Bellingham by using Casado to disrupt Real's midfield. However, it is unlikely Flick will repeat the exact same strategy today.

Flick's flexibility is his strength. While he doesn’t make major tactical changes, he adjusts according to the mood of the match, often making key differences that result in Barcelona’s favor.

Flick's Potential Strategy for Today

Flick may keep the offside trap tactic today, as he has successfully used it against many opponents this season, including Real Madrid. In the 4-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, Barcelona used the same strategy, catching Dortmund offside 4 times.

Flick may also employ 'line-breaking' passes, with Pedri being a key player for this. Pedri, one of the best midfielders in the world, will help quickly shake up Real Madrid’s defense. Barcelona will focus on moving the ball forward quickly, with Yamal and Raphinha looking to exploit any spaces in Real Madrid’s defense.

The Absence of Lewandowski

Barcelona’s biggest challenge today is the absence of Robert Lewandowski, who is out due to a hamstring injury. This loss will place extra responsibility on Lamine Yamal and Rafinha to step up. The lack of Lewandowski was evident in Barcelona’s match against Mallorca, where they struggled to score despite taking 40 shots. With Courtois in goal for Real Madrid, Barcelona will face even more difficulty without their star striker.

Handling the Pressure

Big matches always come with challenges, and when it's El Clasico, those challenges feel even bigger. Barcelona must manage the nervous pressure that comes with such a high-stakes final. Overcoming this mental obstacle will be crucial for their success. The question now is whether Barcelona can handle these pressures and take the first step toward winning the treble.