Sao Barca trembles facing the 'storm' Mbappe ahead of the El Clasico

Ahead of the Real Madrid - Barcelona El Clasico, young center-back Pau Cubarsi acknowledged that Kylian Mbappe is the rival he is most wary of because of his whirlwind-like speed and scoring prowess that can overwhelm any defense.

The atmosphere before the first El Clasico of the season on October 26 (Vietnam time) is hotter than ever; both Real Madrid and Barcelona are preparing for a fierce battle at Santiago Bernabeu. While fans eagerly await this top-level showdown, a statement from young defender Pau Cubarsi has intensified the excitement. The Barcelona star openly admitted he views Kylian Mbappe as a bigger threat than Jude Bellingham – Mbappe’s teammate at Real Madrid.

Currently, Real Madrid leads La Liga with 21 points after 8 matches, closely followed by Barcelona with 19 points. The El Clasico on October 26 is not only a fight for honor but could also shape the early season standings. In an interview with AS, Pau Cubarsi candidly shared: “Both are tough to handle, but Mbappe moves very agilely, exploits spaces well, and is extremely fast. Bellingham often appears unexpectedly from the second line, but for me, Mbappe is more frightening because of his speed, one-touch finishing, and his constant ability to score.”

The 18-year-old defender’s remarks immediately attracted attention as they reflect the common concern of Barcelona’s defense facing the “storm” Mbappe. With a devastating scoring form – 14 goals in 10 matches this season and 11 goals in 8 previous encounters against Barca – the French striker is a true nightmare for every La Liga defense. His unpredictable playstyle, intelligent movement, and instant finishing make Mbappe a name every defender must fear.

Meanwhile, Barcelona under Hansi Flick is facing major defensive issues. The 1-4 loss to Sevilla exposed clear weaknesses in pressing and a lack of coordination among lines. Cubarsi himself admitted that Barca needs better pressing and the whole team must contribute defensively if they want to withstand Real Madrid’s attacking power.

On the other side, Real Madrid, despite losing Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold to injuries, remains stable under Xabi Alonso’s leadership. With Mbappe’s high form and confidence, Los Blancos are slightly favored in this matchup.

Both teams enter the El Clasico with weakened squads, but fighting spirit and resilience will be decisive. Can Barcelona overcome the fear of the “storm” Mbappe to rewrite the script at Bernabeu, or will Real Madrid once again crush their rival with the French superstar’s power?