With the European soccer season set to kick off at the end of the month, club teams across the continent are gearing up for another intense 9-10 months of competition.
Following the conclusion of international tournaments, a much-anticipated friendly match between two of soccer’s fiercest rivals, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, is scheduled for Saturday night.
The match will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, starting at 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT, and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
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There isn’t much that hasn’t already been said about the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid. It’s a legendary clash, regarded by many as the most iconic rivalry in sports. In official matches, Real Madrid leads with 105 wins compared to Barcelona’s 100, with 52 matches ending in a draw.
Both teams dominate LaLiga and have been prominent on the European stage over the past three decades, with Real Madrid often holding the upper hand in international competitions. Saturday’s game will allow both teams to fine-tune their tactics and provide playing time to a variety of players.
Barcelona will be missing several key players due to injury. Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Pedri are expected to return before the start of the domestic season, though their availability is uncertain. Ronald Araujo is facing a longer recovery and may be sidelined until December.
In contrast, Real Madrid is in good health overall, a positive sign for the reigning European champions. Fans will be eager to see more from 18-year-old Endrick, who had a limited impact in Real Madrid’s recent victory over AC Milan.