According to reports, Barcelona has the best attacking line in Europe, scoring 163 goals in 56 matches (an average of 2.9 goals per game), significantly ahead of Paris Saint-Germain (2.5 goals per game). However, this attacking power was neutralized in the Champions League semifinals against Inter Milan due to the brilliance of Yann Sommer, Inter’s goalkeeper.

Barcelona scored three goals at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium and created numerous chances, but Sommer’s exceptional saves, including a one-on-one stop against Eric Garcia and a spectacular block against Lamine Yamal, prevented Barcelona from advancing to the final in Munich. Yamal’s shot hitting the post just before Inter’s equalizer was another key moment that reduced Barcelona’s chances.

Now, Barcelona faces another challenge in El Clasico: Thibaut Courtois, arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, known for his miraculous saves. The outcome of this duel could determine the fate of El Clasico and even La Liga in the final three weeks. However, Barcelona has shown this season that they know how to score against Courtois.

Real Madrid conceded eight goals against Barcelona in two matches this season when Courtois was in goal: five in the Super Cup final (from Yamal, two from Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Balde) and three in the Copa del Rey final (from Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Kounde). In the 4-0 defeat at the Bernabeu, Andriy Lunin played due to Courtois’ injury.

Courtois does not have a strong record against Barcelona. In 27 matches against them, he has conceded 49 goals (an average of 1.8 goals per game) and kept only six clean sheets (three with Real Madrid and three with Atletico Madrid). Barcelona has scored more goals against him than any other team. Among teams Courtois has faced more than 10 times, only Levante (1.42), Rayo Vallecano (1.33), and Villarreal (1.5) have a higher goals-per-game average.

Courtois has conceded five goals in a match only four times in his career, three of which were against Barcelona: this season’s Super Cup final, a 5-1 defeat at Camp Nou (2018), and a 5-0 loss with Atletico (2011). The only non-Spanish instance was Chelsea’s 5-3 defeat to Tottenham in 2015.

These statistics show that Barcelona, despite Courtois’ defensive prowess, knows how to penetrate his goal. The upcoming El Clasico is a major test for Barcelona’s attack and an opportunity to solidify their lead in La Liga.