It is also Barcelona coach Hansi Flick’s first Clásico and his team’s 4-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday showed how he has revived the Catalan giants in just a few months.

Madrid enjoyed their own European epic on Tuesday in a repeat of last season’s final against Borussia Dortmund, producing a classic Los Blancos comeback from two goals down to demolish the visitors 5-2.

Their poor first half gave way to an explosive second as Madrid flexed their muscles and Vinicius Junior scored a hat-trick.

“Very timid, with little control,” Ancelotti summarized his team’s first half against Dortmund.

“But we woke up after the break and did really well, in every way, intensity, pressure, quality, everything… it was spectacular.”

The coach had no doubts about which version of Madrid he expected to see under the lights at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

“It’s not that complicated… the second half of Madrid,” said the Italian coach.

Los Blancos will be without Rodrygo and Thibaut Courtois after injuries against Dortmund, while Jude Bellingham is yet to score in 10 games this season after scoring 10 at the same stage last year.

Without the retired Toni Kroos, Ancelotti will have to rely heavily on 39-year-old Luka Modric for creativity in midfield as Madrid attempt a 43rd league unbeaten run, equaling Barcelona’s record between 2017 and 2018.

Vinicius’ treble was a fine testament to his quality ahead of Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, where he is expected to win the award for the first time.

“We are going for it, in our stadium, with our fans, and we will fight for everything this season as always,” said Vinicius.

The Brazilian forward and Mbappe have the pace to wreak havoc on Barcelona’s defense if Flick persists with his high back line.

Bayern broke in several times in the first half and may have scored more than once on another night.

However, Barcelona’s attack is in blistering form and Vinicius’ compatriot Raphinha himself scored a hat-trick against Bayern.

At times he and Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal have been completely unstoppable, while veteran goalkeeper Robert Lewandowski is at his deadly best.

The 36-year-old Polish striker has scored 12 goals in La Liga, at least double that of any other player, including Mbappe on six.

Barcelona have recorded nine wins from ten games in La Liga despite a string of injury problems, which are starting to subside.

Flick has Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez and summer signing Dani Olmo back at his disposal after missing most of the season so far.

The coach said the emphatic win over Bayern was the best way to get into the Clasico.

“When you win games like this you have to celebrate, it’s incredible for the team,” said Flick.

“It gives us the confidence to believe in ourselves ahead of Saturday’s game.”

A win would put Barcelona six points clear, while a defeat would leave their Clasico rivals with nothing between them.

Real Madrid’s big summer signing for Los Blancos is yet to explode, but the Clasico could be the platform for his time in the Spanish capital to take off. Mbappe’s speed could be crucial for Madrid to take advantage of the space Barcelona often leaves behind.

4 – Real Madrid have won the last four Clasicos in all competitions

Mbappé scored six times against Barcelona in four games, all with Paris Saint-Germain

43 – Barcelona has the longest unbeaten streak in La Liga history, Madrid can match this on Saturday

Friday (all times GMT) Espanyol v Sevilla (1900)

Saturday

Valladolid v Villarreal (1200), Rayo Vallecano v Alaves (1415), Las Palmas v Girona (1630), Real Madrid v Barcelona (1900)

Sunday

Leganes vs Celta Vigo (1300), Getafe vs Valencia (1515), Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid (1730), Real Sociedad vs Osasuna (2000)

Monday

Mallorca v Athletic Bilbao (2000)