Stand-in boss Marcus Sorg says Barcelona are “going to help” Lamine Yamal to improve after a La Liga defeat at Real Madrid that “wasn’t very easy” for the Spain sensation.
Yamal claimed Madrid “steal” and “complain” in a YouTube interview in the build-up to El Clasico and was unusually quiet on his second league start since returning from injury, enduring boos from the crowd before appearing to exchange taunts with opposition forward Vinicius Junior after the final whistle in Barca’s 2-1 loss.
“Maybe a little,” assistant manager Sorg, who led Barca in the absence of suspended head coach Hansi Flick, replied when he was asked whether 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.”
Tempers boil over in ElClásico 😡
Pedri’s late red card fuels anger from both sides and the chaos continues past 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’
Second in this year’s Ballon d’Or, Yamal entered the game on a run of a goal and assist across his previous two appearances but was unable to prevent Barca losing to goals by Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham either side of Fermin Lopez’s reply.
“[Madrid] often defended two against one and wanted to prevent him from entering the box,” said Sorg, via AS.
“That’s normal. He’s young, he needs to improve and we’re going to help him. He’s coming off an injury. He needs rhythm, matches… it’s normal.
“He’s 18 and we have to give him time and help him. Opponents try everything against him and they adapt to defend well.
“We have to work harder and help him get the best out of him on the pitch. It wasn’t easy but we talked 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.”
Outstanding Jude Bellingham assist 🔥
A superb turn and pass from the Englishman is finished off 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 games and suffered their first defeat in the fixture since the 2023/24 campaign, having won all four meetings between the teams last season.
“We made more mistakes than we’re used to,” rued Sorg. “It’s true that we defended very low. In the final third, our penetration didn’t 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 acknowledged that Barca “miss” their injured top scorer last season, Robert Lewandowski. “But we have to deal with the situation,” the German added.
“Injuries happen in football. We don’t want to complain about anything – about referees, about injuries.
“The season is long. There are 28 more games left and we’re not worried. There’s still a long way to go.”
Marcus Rashford assists Fermín! 🔵🔴
It’s all level in ElClásico now as Barcelona make the most of Arda Güler’s error 🤝
𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/j83b1BO0D3
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) October 26, 2025
Barcelona team vs Real Madrid
Barcelona and Brazil forward Raphinha suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring problem, so Marcus Rashford switched to the left flank and Ferran Torres came in up front.
Jules Kounde and Frenkie de Jong had been doubts but were both fit, while Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were injured.
Barcelona starting XI: 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 strikes in ElClásico! 👏
Real Madrid regain their lead against Barcelona as the midfielder taps in ⚪
𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/eXQ7WFB8Zn
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) October 26, 2025
Real Madrid team vs Barcelona
Xabi Alonso made two changes to his starting side from the 1-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League four days earlier.
Dean Huijsen returned from injury and replaced Raul Asencio in central defence, while Eduardo Camavinga was preferred to Brahim Diaz in midfield.
Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold were named on the bench.
Real Madrid starting XI: Federic, Federica Valverde, Military Eder, Dean Huijsen, Old Carres, Jude Bellingham, Camavingian Education, Chuler Arda, 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
