Spanish press build up first El Clasico of the season as ‘a classic with a future’ with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal set to feature in the fixture for the first time

Saturday’s showdown between Barcelona and Real Madrid has been billed as ‘a classic with a future’ by Spanish press. 

The two fierce rivals will go head-to-head for the first time this season at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, with both sides looking to continue their impressive starts to the campaign. 

Many fans have criticised El Clasico since the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after they dominated the fixture for nearly a decade. 

However, AS have gone with  ‘A classic with a future’ as their big headline, with young stars such as Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Fermine Lopez pictured on one side while Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo feature on the Real Madrid half. 

Bellingham, who has started the season in superb form with 11 goals and three assists in 12 matches, is set to play in the highly-anticipated fixture for the first time. 

AS have gone with ‘A classic with a future’ as their headline’, referring to the young players

Meanwhile, Marca have gone with the headline ‘ROCK & GOL’ with Felix and Bellingham

‘I’ve obviously played a lot of high-pressure games, though maybe not one of this magnitude,’ he said. 

‘I’m more excited than anything. I’m so looking forward to the atmosphere. Whatever else, it will be really fun.

‘When I was a kid in England, we still had the coverage of the Clasicos and Spanish football. I loved the games as a kid and I always tuned in, no matter how late it was, even when my mum was telling me to get to bed. I’d always stay up until I got the last minute of every Clasico.

‘There have been so many magic moments, it’s a pleasure to be able to play it. Where else would you rather be as a football player?

‘You can imagine what it means. It’s not hard to understand. I watched Clasicos growing up and you see the reaction from the fans inside the stadium. You can tell how much it means to them.’

Meanwhile, Marca have gone with the headline ‘ROCK & GOL’, with edited photos of Joao Felix and Bellingham playing the guitar. 

The sub heading reads ‘Barca from “The Rolling’ takes on Madrid from “Hey Jude”. 

It’s a reference to the fact that the tongue and lips logo of the The Rolling Stones  will replace the Spotify logo for the match.  

The Beatles’ hit ‘Hey jude’ has also become a hit among Real supporters in honour of Bellingham. 

A win for Barcelona will see them leapfrog Real into second spot, while the visitors could extend their lead over Xavi’s side to four points.