According to reports, since the 1992-93 season when the European Cup was renamed the Champions League, Barcelona has faced Real Madrid five times after failing in the competition, and in most cases, Real has benefited from Barcelona’s fatigue and low morale. This season, after Barcelona’s defeat in the Champions League semifinals against Inter Milan, the question is whether Real will once again seize this opportunity.

The first instance was in the 2006-07 season. Barcelona, under Frank Rijkaard and president Joan Laporta, lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the Champions League group stage. Four days later, in El Clásico, Real Madrid won at the Bernabéu with early goals from Raúl (2nd minute) and Ruud van Nistelrooy. In 2012, history repeated itself. Chelsea defeated Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. Then, Real won 2-1 at Camp Nou, effectively sealing the La Liga title in April. Barcelona was later eliminated from the Champions League.

Last season, under Xavi, Barcelona arrived at Montjuïc with high spirits after a 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. However, an early red card for Ronald Araújo in the second leg led to a heavy 4-1 defeat and elimination from the Champions League. Five days later, Barcelona lost 3-2 to Real at the Bernabéu, effectively ending their La Liga title hopes by mid-April with an 11-point gap.

There have been two exceptions where Barcelona managed results in El Clásico after Champions League elimination. In 2007, after being eliminated by Liverpool (despite a 1-0 win at Anfield), the match against Real ended 3-3. In 2017, under Luis Enrique, Barcelona defeated Real 3-2 in El Clásico after a goalless draw against Juventus and elimination in the quarterfinals. This remains Barcelona’s only victory under such circumstances.

Now, Barcelona faces Real after their failure against Inter, burdened by fatigue and psychological pressure. History suggests Real usually capitalizes on such situations, but past exceptions, like the 2017 victory, offer hope for Barcelona fans.