Real Madrid

Follow all the action from the La Liga showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu as Madrid look to tighten their grip on the title.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to make his El Clasico bow in tonight's clash with Real Madrid after an impressive start to life with Barcelona.

“When you are happy, you have excitement for everything, to score goals, to help the team and to kill.” I am working a lot and I think that the most important thing is that I am happy,” the Gabon striker said this week. Dani Alves sat out Thursday night’s victory over Galatasaray in the Europa League and again missed out on the starting lineup, but Ousmane Dembele is trusted from the off.

From Real Madrid academy stars to Galacticos and European champions, we rank the Blancos' best-ever.

He was one of the first true Galacticos: in every sense of the title. His Ballon d'Or was testament to the sheer beauty of what he do with a ball. As a coach, he had an innate sense of balance in a team: as a player, he was a moustachioed midfielder who learned the importance of organisation. The German is one of the less flashy buys of the past decade but one of the most important, offering Real consistency, class and a metronomic presence in midfield. A solid presence who simply couldn't be beaten in the air, he was a leader in defence who allowed the Hollywood names to flourish at the top of the pitch. Despised by a section of the Real Madrid fans, Gareth Bale is responsible at least in part for two Champions League titles that he scored in finals to win. The Argentinian midfielder was nicknamed 'the Prince' and soon became Real royalty with displays of grace and deftness in a white shirt. In over 400 appearances, Ignacio Zoco was the gearbox of the Real Madrid midfield, dictating the flow of a match and driving forward with confidence. A winger with a wicked lick of pace and an eye for the spectacular, Amancio was a member of the "Ye-Ye" side that made multiple European finals with its devastating strike force, inspiring so many to play with his reckless abandon. One of the greatest wing-backs of a generation, Rafael Gordillo moved from Real Betis to Real Madrid and won everything in Spanish football. With beautiful assists and the ability to turn games, he became one of the fans' most-loved stars in the noughties. The dependable midfield general for five European Cups on the trot, Jose Zarrraga was the Casemiro of his day with tough tackling and a steely leadership.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Barcelona go into Sunday's Clasico knowing that if they win they may only be delaying the inevitable crowning of Real Madrid as ...

He looked to have one foot out of the door several months back but Xavi has always insisted in his importance and that faith is being repaid. Busquets passed the 800 games landmark in midweek and Mendieta added: 'In terms of replacing him, I think it is going to be difficult. 'They have the quality and the character to do it.' Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on fire and Xavi's young guns are among the most exciting in Europe 'I don't really remember doing it; I'll have to watch it again,' he said of the strike that saw him leave two Galatasaray defenders on the deck before scoring. And with 311 goals he continues to close-in on Raul (323) for second place in Madrid's all-time scoring list.

Real Madrid host FC Barcelona in one of football's biggest games. Madrid won't want to give away any of their advantage at the top of the league, ...

Ousmane Dembele is preferred to Adama Traore on the wing. Ousmane Dembele is preferred to Adama Traore on the wing for Barcelona, while Dan Alves does not appear in the squad. Rodrygo is the one to start for Real Madrid up front in place of Karim Benzema, while Nacho Fernandez — not Marcelo — takes Ferland Mendy's place at left-back. Starting left back Ferland Mendy is also out with Nacho Fernandez chosen to stand in over Marcelo. Jovic is a more natural fit for the central striker role, but he also has just one start all season. However, the Catalan giants have not won at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu since 2019.