Real Madrid brush aside Leipzig to build momentum for Barcelona clash

Real Madrid sent out a firm warning before Sunday’s El Clasico by beating Leipzig 4-1 at Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The victory was the club’s third convincing performance in succession, following wins over Roma and Sevilla, and means Jose Mourinho’s side will approach the meeting with Barcelona in La Liga with confidence and renewed belief.

The match was Real Madrid’s final game before Sunday’s Clasico. Barcelona had previously appeared to be favourites after an impressive run of results in La Liga and the Champions League, but the balance now looks considerably closer after Real Madrid’s upturn in form.

Barcelona, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the season in their previous match, losing 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain.

Real Madrid maintained their perfect record in the Champions League league phase after earlier victories against Inter Milan and Roma. They moved up to fourth in the overall table with nine points, while Leipzig remained 27th on three points.

Courtois keeps Leipzig out

Real Madrid controlled much of the first half and went into the interval ahead, although Leipzig created several dangerous opportunities.

Thibaut Courtois was required to make two important saves. He denied a powerful effort from inside the penalty area in the 28th minute before stopping a one-on-one chance 13 minutes later.

Arda Guler was a constant threat down the right, delivering a number of crosses. His most dangerous came in the 15th minute, but Kylian Mbappe was unable to turn it into a goal.

Jude Bellingham also went close in the 39th minute when his fierce shot from outside the box flew over the crossbar.

Two minutes before half-time, Bernardo Silva opened the scoring. Guler’s effort was deflected inside the six-yard box and Silva reacted quickest to guide the loose ball into the net.

Mbappe seals comfortable win

Real Madrid increased the pressure after the break and doubled their lead six minutes into the second half.

Bellingham broke forward on the left and delivered an accurate cross. Mbappe met it with a header, and Guler completed the move by following up and finishing into the Leipzig goal.

The second goal allowed Real Madrid to play with greater assurance. They dominated possession and continued to threaten, effectively ending Leipzig’s hopes of producing an upset.

After 70 minutes, Mourinho replaced Vinicius Junior, who had been unable to rediscover his best form, with Ivorian forward Jan Diomande.

Mbappe then added a superb third after receiving the ball from Diomande. He placed a precise shot into the far corner, beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.

Leipzig pulled one back through Tediama Gomes, who capitalised on poor positioning by the Real Madrid defence after receiving a pass from Christoph Baumgartner.

But Diomande restored the hosts’ three-goal advantage with a powerful strike from Ibrahim Diaz’s pass, scoring against his former club and completing Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory.