Barça will “help” Yamal after the Clasico

Stand-in boss Marcus Sorg says Barcelona 'will help' Lamine Yamal improve after a La Liga defeat at Real Madrid which “wasn't very easy” for the Spanish sensation.

Yamal claimed Madrid were “stealing” and “complaining” in a YouTube interview in the build-up to the Clasico and was unusually calm in his second league start since returning from injury, enduring boos from the crowd before appearing to exchange taunts with opposition striker Vinicius Junior after the final whistle in Barca's 2-1 defeat.

“Maybe a little,” said assistant manager Sorg, who was managing Barca in the absence of suspended head coach Hansi Flick, when asked if the 18-year-old had been “affected” by the hostile atmosphere.

“He's learning to deal with the crowd, the boos… it's a process. It's true that he's normally very motivated and today wasn't very easy for him.”

Spirits are overflowing at ElClásico 😡

Pedri's late red card fuels anger on both sides and the chaos continues after the full-time whistle 😱

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/obQlgypCCy

– Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) October 26, 2025

Madrid vs Barcelona: Yamal “needs rhythm”

Runner-up in this year's Ballon d'Or, Yamal came into the game with a string of goals and assists in his previous two appearances, but could not prevent Barca losing to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham either side of Fermin Lopez's reply.

“[Madrid] often defended two on one and wanted to prevent him from entering the box,” Sorg said, via AS.

“It's normal. He's young, he needs to improve and we'll help him. He's coming off an injury. He needs rhythm, matches… it's normal.

“He is 18 years old and we have to give him time and help him. The opponents try everything against him and they adapt to defend well.

“We have to work harder and help him get the best out of himself on the pitch. It wasn't easy but we spoke at half-time about trying to find more one-on-one opportunities.

“They were better than us… sometimes defenders are good and we have to accept that.”

Exceptional assist from Jude Bellingham 🔥

A superb turn and pass from the Englishman is completed by Kylian Mbappé ⚪

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/GfJzMGLac8

– Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) October 26, 2025

Barcelona 'not worried' by El Clasico

The second-placed reigning champions are five points behind Madrid after 10 league matches and suffered their first defeat in this match since the 2023/24 campaign, having won all four meetings between the teams last season.

“We made more mistakes than usual,” laments Sorg. “It’s true that we defended very low. In the final third, our penetration did not allow us to create more chances.

“Honestly, I didn't even notice [the post-match altercations]. I don't know who started it. There were a lot of people on the benches shouting. »

Sorg admitted that Barca were “missing” their injured top scorer last season, Robert Lewandowski. “But we have to face the situation,” added the German.

“In football there are injuries. We don't want to complain about anything, about referees, about injuries.

“The season is long. There are 28 games left and we are not worried. There is still a long way to go.”

Marcus Rashford assists Fermín! 🔵🔴

Everything is equal in ElClásico now as Barcelona take advantage of Arda Güler mistake 🤝

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/j83b1BO0D3

– Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) October 26, 2025

Barcelona team against Real Madrid

Barcelona and Brazil striker Raphinha suffered a setback during his recovery from a hamstring problem, so Marcus Rashford moved to the left flank and Ferran Torres came up front.

Jules Kounde and Frenkie de Jong were doubtful but were both fit, while Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were injured.

Barcelona starting lineup: Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Lamine Yamal, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Marcus Rashford, Ferran Torres

Barcelona substitutes: Diego Kochen, Ronald Araujo, Marc Casado, Gerard Martin, Marc Bernal, Jofre Torrents, Dro Fernandez, Roony Bardghji, Toni Fernandez, Eder Aller, Xavi Espart

Jude Bellingham hits the Clásico! 👏

Real Madrid regain lead against Barcelona as midfielder comes on ⚪

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/eXQ7WFB8Zn

– Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) October 26, 2025

Real Madrid team against Barcelona

Xabi Alonso made two changes to his starting side of the 1-0 victory against Juventus in Champions League four days earlier.

Dean Huijsen returned from injury and replaced Raul Asencio in central defense, while Eduardo Camavinga was preferred to Brahim Diaz in midfield.

Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been named on the bench.

Real Madrid starting lineup: Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid substitutes: Andrii Lunin, Dani Carvajal, Endrick, Rodrygo, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gonzalo Garcia, Raul Asencio, Dani Ceballos, Fran Garcia, Brahim Diaz, Ferland Mendy, Franco Mastantuono