El Clásico latest: Koundé ruled out, Martínez Munuera confirmed as referee and Mourinho says "I am not stupid"
Barcelona will be without Jules Koundé and Dani Olmo tonight. The Spanish federation has confirmed Juan Martínez Munuera as referee — Real Madrid won three of the four Clásicos he has taken charge of — and José Mourinho refused to reveal anything about his plans.
The final pre-match press conferences are done and the referee has been named. Here is the latest before Barcelona v Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou (21:00 in Spain, 04:00 Monday in Beijing).
Barcelona: Koundé is out
Hansi Flick confirmed on Saturday that Jules Koundé will miss the game with his ankle injury. "Koundé is out. We don't want to take any risks," Flick said. "It's not the best time, but we have to accept it." Xavi Espart is expected to start at right-back.
Dani Olmo is also out for several games. "He was in great form and at 100%," Flick said. "He's been unlucky with how he got injured." Eric García and Andreas Christensen remain unavailable, so Barcelona's defence will be stretched.
Flick praised summer signing Rodri — "When the opportunity arose to sign him, we were all convinced he would improve [the team]. I'm very happy he's here" — and said Barcelona had learned from the 4-2 defeat in Paris: "We did many things well, but there are areas where we need to improve."
On Mourinho: "I have a lot of respect for him. He is a colleague, and a very successful one at that."
The referee is confirmed
The Spanish federation's referees' committee has appointed Juan Martínez Munuera, with Javier Iglesias Villanueva on VAR — the names that had been reported earlier in the week, to Mourinho's annoyance. It will be Martínez Munuera's fifth Clásico:
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | LaLiga | Real Madrid 3-1 |
| 2022 | LaLiga | Barcelona 4-0 |
| 2023 | Copa del Rey semi-final | Real Madrid 4-0 |
| 2024 | Super Cup final | Real Madrid 4-1 |
Real Madrid have won three of his four Clásicos. Asked about officials, Flick said: "I have confidence in the referees. We're all part of the game."
Mourinho gives nothing away
Mourinho refused to discuss his team or his tactics. Asked whether Barcelona's injury-hit defence was a weak point, he replied: "You are smart, but I am not stupid." On his plans: "I am not going to answer those questions." On returning to Camp Nou, where he coached as an assistant and later managed against Barcelona: "It's just like going to any other stadium."
The big selection questions are where to play Arda Güler and Federico Valverde, who can play in midfield or at right-back. Vinícius Júnior is suspended.
The stakes
Barcelona have 27 points from nine games; Madrid have 21. A Barcelona win would open up a nine-point gap; a Madrid win would cut it to three. Barcelona had won 11 in a row before the defeat in Paris.
Read our full Clásico preview for line-ups and head-to-head, and our Clásico countdown for the week's build-up. See the LaLiga table.
FAQ
Is Koundé playing in El Clásico? No. Flick confirmed he is out with an ankle injury.
Who is the referee for El Clásico 2026? Juan Martínez Munuera, with Javier Iglesias Villanueva on VAR.
What time is El Clásico? Sunday 25 October 2026, 21:00 in Spain (20:00 UK, 04:00 Monday in Beijing).
