Spanish champions Barcelona and current LaLiga leaders Real Madrid will aim to rebuild confidence this weekend after difficult Champions League outings.

Barcelona face Alaves at home on Saturday, while Madrid travel to Girona on Sunday, with both sides looking to keep pace ahead of in-form challengers Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.

Barça endured a bruising 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, while Real Madrid’s defence faltered in a chaotic 4-3 win over Olympiacos in Greece—salvaged only by a four-goal haul from Kylian Mbappé.

In the aftermath of the London loss, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick admitted he was struggling to make sense of the performance but insisted there were reasons for optimism.

“I see how we train, the quality, the intensity—it’s totally different from six weeks ago,” he told reporters. “Players are coming back, improving the level. I feel positive about that.”

The defeat marked the first time Barcelona failed to score in 2025.
Raphinha, returning from injury, has made a couple of substitute appearances and could play a bigger role against Alaves. Flick also noted that Marcus Rashford has recovered from illness, while Pedri is nearing his own return.

Last weekend’s 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao—Barca’s first match at the revamped Camp Nou in two and a half years—provided a lift, and a similar display would help steady nerves. A victory would also send the defending champions temporarily back to the top of the table, with Madrid dropping points in their last two league games, including a 2-2 draw at Elche.

Madrid hold a one-point lead over Barcelona heading into the weekend after back-to-back draws, including a goalless stalemate with Rayo Vallecano before the November international break. Girona, meanwhile, sit 18th after a poor start to the season.

Mbappé’s heroics in Athens ended Madrid’s three-game winless run across all competitions, and coach Xabi Alonso said the result was crucial for restoring momentum ahead of the trip to Montilivi.
Alonso has faced scrutiny in recent weeks, with reports suggesting some players—including Vinícius Júnior—had doubts about him. He dismissed the claims.

“We are united. We know the season will be long and demanding, with all kinds of moments—but unity and trust in each other are fundamental,” he said.

Player to watch: Mikel Oyarzabal
Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal has hit form, helping his team climb the table and strengthening his case to be Spain’s starting striker at next year’s World Cup. Villarreal visit San Sebastián on Sunday, where Oyarzabal will look to add to his three goals and two assists in his last four league matches.

Key stats

• 12 – Atletico Madrid’s unbeaten run in LaLiga
• 53 – Consecutive games in which Barcelona scored before Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to Chelsea
• 1125 – Touches by Real Madrid defender Álvaro Carreras, the most of any LaLiga player this season