Real Madrid faces more than just three points in El Clásico of Matchday 35 in LaLiga EA Sports. After being eliminated from the Champions League by Arsenal, losing the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup to FC Barcelona, only one path remains to avoid labeling the season a failure: winning in Montjuïc and keeping the domestic title race alive.

A Season Full of Setbacks

The only trophies Los Blancos have secured this campaign are the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup—insufficient by the club’s lofty standards. For Carlo Ancelotti, this has been the most inconsistent season in his two stints in charge, having suffered 13 defeats, the most since he took over the bench.

Meaningful wins have been few and far between, mostly limited to the Champions League, such as the group stage victory over Borussia Dortmund and the double win against Manchester City. There was also the 3-2 win over Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, which ultimately wasn’t enough to advance.

Injuries have plagued the squad, particularly serious knee injuries to Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão, exposing the lack of depth and affecting performances—especially in away matches.

Struggles on the Road

At the Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid has been strong, collecting 47 points at home. However, key points were dropped in games like the draw against Atlético or losses to Barcelona (0-4) and Valencia (1-2).

The real Achilles’ heel has been playing away. In 17 road games, Madrid has suffered three defeats and five draws. The early-season draws against Mallorca, Las Palmas, and Atlético were warning signs, followed by more setbacks against Rayo Vallecano, Osasuna, Athletic Club, Espanyol, and Real Betis.

Despite all that, the team arrives at El Clásico on a run of four consecutive wins—against Alavés (0-1), Athletic Club (1-0), Getafe (0-1), and Celta (3-2)—though none with particularly dominant displays.

The Final Train

This Sunday, Madrid clings to the stat that they've won four of their last seven visits to Barcelona, losing just once in that span. The pressure is immense: if they don’t win, LaLiga will likely be out of reach—and with it, the chance to salvage a disappointing season.