Barcelona vs. Real Madrid Women's Clásico: Kickoff in Doubt Over Flood Risk
Barcelona have asked to push the Liga F Clásico against Real Madrid back two hours because of extreme rain forecasts, with a final call due on Sunday morning.
Why the Clásico is in the spotlight
Extreme rain and flood warnings around Barcelona have put the timing of the women's Clásico in question.
In an official statement on Saturday, FC Barcelona said it was suspending all activities at its facilities from 20:00 on Saturday until 14:00 on Sunday, following the advice of the competent authorities. That covers training, as well as cultural, social and leisure events.
What we know about the kickoff
The club said it is in constant contact with Liga F and the competition bodies. It has requested that the game begin at 19:00 instead of 17:00, two hours later than planned.
The stated reasons are to make sure the stadium is in full operating and safety condition and to make travel and access easier for supporters. The club said the definitive decision will be made on Sunday morning.
One headline in a news roundup suggests the match has already been rescheduled. The club's own statement, however, says only that a later start has been requested and a final decision is pending. Fans should check Liga F and Barcelona's official channels.
The sporting stakes
Barcelona, winners of the last seven league titles, have a strong record in this fixture: 24 wins and one defeat in previous meetings, according to EFE. A victory would stretch their lead at the top to five points after six rounds.
The team, coached by Pere Romeu, comes in after a demanding September marked by injuries, international call-ups and makeshift line-ups. They have still won every game in Liga F and the Champions League, most recently a 6-0 win away to Roma on Wednesday.
They will be without defender Laia Aleixandri, who is recovering from a serious knee injury. Forwards Kika Nazareth and Vicky López are out with muscle problems. López trained with the group on Thursday but returned to gym work on Friday and is not expected to be ready.
Real Madrid sit second and have rebuilt their squad and starting eleven. They lost every meeting with Barcelona last season, several of them heavily, including the Champions League quarter-final tie. EFE highlights the goals of their 19-year-old Swedish forward as a key factor in their form.
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What it means for you
If you plan to attend, do not travel on the basis of the original 17:00 time alone. Wait for the confirmation expected on Sunday morning and follow the club's official channels for updates on access and transport.
If you are watching from home, check your local broadcaster's listings, as a later start would shift the schedule. Also follow any local authority guidance if you are in the affected area.
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