Former EPL star claims Real Madrid have no chance of beating Barcelona

According to a report by Barca Universal on Monday, October 19, 2026, former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has delivered a strong verdict ahead of El Clasico, claiming Real Madrid will struggle to defeat Barcelona when the two rivals meet on Sunday.

Deeney believes Barcelona have developed into a more effective collective unit under manager Hansi Flick, while he feels Real Madrid depend too heavily on individual talent instead of operating as a cohesive team.

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the former Watford forward shared his views during an appearance on CBS Sports’ Golazo programme, where he discussed the highly anticipated meeting between Spanish football’s biggest rivals.

“It’s impossible for them to beat Barcelona. They are a team full of individuals against the best team,” Deeney declared.

His comments come as Barcelona continue to impress under Flick and currently hold a six-point advantage over Real Madrid in the La Liga standings. The Catalan side will have the opportunity to strengthen their position when they face their rivals in the first league El Clasico of the season.

Both teams enter the contest after recording convincing victories in their most recent league matches. Barcelona secured a 5-2 win over Real Betis, while Madrid responded with a 4-1 triumph against Sevilla.

Although Madrid’s performance against Sevilla demonstrated their attacking strength, Deeney remains convinced that Barcelona’s organisation and collective approach give them an advantage heading into the showdown.

Flick’s side have impressed with their movement, pressing intensity and ability to create scoring opportunities. Their attacking combinations have made them difficult to contain, reinforcing Deeney’s belief that Barcelona currently operate more effectively as a team.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid will have the chance to challenge that assessment when they face Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Jose Mourinho’s side possess several players capable of producing decisive moments, and their recent victory over Sevilla could provide additional confidence ahead of the encounter.

Deeney also suggested that Mourinho’s temperament could become a talking point during the match, predicting that Madrid might finish the contest with a player sent off. However, this remains the former striker’s prediction rather than a certainty, and the outcome will depend on how the game unfolds.

The former Watford player also highlighted the impact of Madrid’s summer signing Yan Diomande, who has reportedly settled into the team and filled in for Vinicius Junior during the Brazilian’s suspension.

Vinicius’ absence could be a significant setback for Madrid because of his pace, dribbling ability and capacity to unsettle opposition defences. Diomande will therefore face an important test as Mourinho looks to find the right attacking formula against Barcelona.

For Flick, the main objective will be to ensure his players maintain their current performance levels against their fiercest rivals. Barcelona have a chance to extend their lead over Madrid from six points to nine, which would represent a considerable advantage in the early stages of the title race.

Despite Deeney’s confident prediction, El Clasico remains a fixture capable of producing unexpected outcomes, with both teams possessing the quality to influence the result.