According to reports, this strategy includes deliberate fouls, psychological tricks, intentional stoppages, and actions such as offensive remarks or distractions to disrupt the opponent’s concentration. Statistical data shows Barcelona’s superiority in fouls: 53 fouls (average 17.6 per game) compared to Real Madrid’s 40 fouls (average 13.3). This difference peaked in the Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja, where referee José María Sánchez Martínez recorded 23 fouls for Barcelona and only 11 for Real Madrid.

First Leg of La Liga El Clásico

In this match held at the Bernabéu, Barcelona secured a decisive 4-0 victory. Under Hansi Flick’s leadership, the team scored twice in the second half through Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal. Barcelona committed 17 fouls (compared to Real Madrid’s 15), with 10 of them on the left side of the pitch, where Vinicius Junior operated. Vinicius was fouled seven times and was the primary target of Barcelona’s fouls. Marc Casadó stood out with four fouls. Of the 17 fouls, 11 occurred in Real Madrid’s half, indicating Barcelona’s efforts to disrupt quick counterattacks, particularly from Vinicius. Additionally, Kylian Mbappé was caught offside eight times, while Vinicius and Jude Bellingham were offside three and one times, respectively. These stats highlight Barcelona’s high press and success in disrupting Real Madrid’s attacking rhythm.

Supercopa de España Final

The second El Clásico took place in the Supercopa final, where Real Madrid committed 14 fouls compared to Barcelona’s 13. However, Casadó again played a key role with eight fouls (61.5% of his team’s total fouls). Vinicius remained the primary target, receiving seven fouls, while Lewandowski suffered four fouls from Real Madrid. Antonio Rüdiger and Eduardo Camavinga each committed four fouls. Unlike the La Liga match, Barcelona defended more in midfield, committing only four fouls in Real Madrid’s half but 10 in their own half, six of which were by Casadó. One of these fouls led to Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny’s red card after fouling Mbappé, which resulted in Rodrygo scoring Real Madrid’s second goal.

Copa del Rey Final in Seville

On April 26, the two teams faced off at La Cartuja for the Copa del Rey final. Referee José Luis Munuera recorded 23 fouls for Barcelona and 11 for Real Madrid. Apart from Szczęsny, Pedri, and Ronald Araújo (who entered in the 85th minute), all Barcelona players committed at least one foul. Of the 23 fouls, 18 occurred in Real Madrid’s half (17 in regular time and six in extra time). Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Fermín López (who played 35 minutes) each committed three fouls. López also received a yellow card. For Real Madrid, Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos, and Bellingham each committed two fouls. These stats reflect Barcelona’s aggressive approach to stopping Real Madrid in their own half.

Barcelona’s football now combines high pressing, intense physicality, and tactical fouling to disrupt the opponent’s flow. Vinicius was clearly the main target of this strategy, receiving the most fouls in all three matches. Players like Casadó, Raphinha, and Yamal played key roles in executing these tactics. While this approach has been criticized for being unsportsmanlike, it contributed to Barcelona’s two victories (in La Liga and the Copa del Rey). Opta data shows that this style, combined with a high defensive block and aggressive pressing, has given Barcelona a relative edge in El Clásico matches, though it also increases the risk of bookings and red cards.