Spanish soccer is set to pause again this Sunday, May 11, with a new chapter of El Clásico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. This is a matchup that could seal La Liga with three games remaining and will be played in a packed Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Despite astronomical prices—exceeding $7,000 for some VIP tickets—, the spectacle has not been affected: tickets are sold out, and record attendance is expected. The ball will start rolling at 10:15 a.m., and everything is ready for a battle loaded with history, tension, and ambition for glory. There is all sorts of excitement!
Montjuïc sold out despite high prices
The Estadi Olímpic will become the epicenter of world soccer with a total attendance. All 55,926 seats have flown, even the most expensive ones, which reached $7,312 in the VIP area. The cheapest price was $475, and there are no tickets available, despite being a temporary stadium. It is expected to far exceed the 50,314 spectators who recently attended the game against Inter in the Champions League, in what will be one of Barça’s last matches in Montjuïc before returning to the Spotify Camp Nou next season. The fact that this stadium will be all the more meaningful for them.
The public interest is not surprising. There is more than just rivalry at stake: the title. With Barcelona leading the table with a four-point advantage over Ancelotti’s team, any result other than a defeat can set the trophy on its way to the city of Barcelona. Real Madrid, for their part, faces the duel as their last chance to stay alive in the fight for LaLiga. For a story that will lead with what can.
A Clásico steeped in history, tension, and rain on the horizon
It will be the 190th LaLiga Clásico since both teams met for the first time in 1929. The historical advantage is Blanca, with 79 victories compared to Barça’s 75, but the culés dominate in goals (305 to 304). The most recent precedent favors Xavi’s team, who thrashed 0-4 in the first round at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Confirmed lineups
Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny; Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Gerard Martín;Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Fermín López; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres.
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Raúl Asencio, Francisco García; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos; Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius.
