Jerzy Dudek believes FC Barcelona go into Sunday’s El Clasico as the slight favourites, even if the gap between the two sides is narrow. The former Real Madrid goalkeeper said the contest could go any way, but he sees Barcelona as the more convincing side and pointed to Real Madrid’s defence as the biggest question mark.
The backdrop is an intriguing one. Barcelona are leading La Liga and remain unbeaten, while Real Madrid arrive with four consecutive wins behind them and four goals scored in each of their last three matches. Both teams have momentum, but both also carry doubts that could shape the outcome.
Dudek sees Barcelona with the edge
Dudek’s verdict was not that Barcelona hold a clear advantage, but that they have looked a little more convincing overall. He described their current level as “To mała rysa na bezbłędnej grze”, suggesting that even their flaw is only a small blemish on otherwise strong form.
He also made it clear that he expects an open and unpredictable match. “W tej konfrontacji może być każdy wynik,” he said, before adding that a draw with goals or even a clear Barcelona win would not surprise him. That is a strong endorsement of the leaders, but it is also a warning against assuming El Clasico will follow recent trends too closely.
Real Madrid’s defence is the main concern
The key issue for Dudek is how Real Madrid’s back line will cope under pressure. He framed the problem simply: “Jak zagra najsłabsza formacja Realu, czyli obrona”. For him, that is where the match could be decided.
That concern is especially relevant given Barcelona’s attacking threat and the pressure of a fixture that often exposes weakness rather than hiding it. Dudek added: “Tu jest największy problem.” In other words, Real Madrid may have the attacking tools to hurt Barcelona, but their ability to defend as a unit remains the bigger test.
He also pointed to Tibo Courtois as a possible deciding factor, saying the goalkeeper will have to work exceptionally hard to keep Real in the game. That suggests Barcelona may not need to dominate every phase to create chances; they only need enough openings to place Courtois under repeated stress.
Barcelona’s unbeaten run meets Madrid’s winning streak
The numbers give the fixture an extra edge. Barcelona are unbeaten in La Liga, while Real Madrid have already dropped points through two league defeats. At the same time, Madrid’s current winning run means the champions are not arriving in crisis mode. They are arriving with confidence, just with a defensive concern that Dudek does not believe can be ignored.
Barcelona also come into the game with a fresh Champions League setback after losing 2:4 to PSG a few days before El Clasico. That result adds a layer of complexity, but it does not change the basic picture: they remain the league leaders and the only unbeaten side in the competition.
So this is not a meeting between a team in full control and a team in collapse. It is a top-level clash between two sides with strong claims and obvious risks. Dudek’s judgement is that Barcelona have the slight edge, but the match still feels open enough for one decisive moment to change everything.
Sunday will show whether Real Madrid’s recent scoring run is enough to offset their defensive uncertainty, or whether Barcelona can turn their unbeaten league form into a statement win in El Clasico.
