Real Madrid approaches the season's first El Clásico against Barcelona with a renewed sense of purpose and a formidable run of form, signaling a remarkable turnaround under new head coach Xabi Alonso. After a "disastrous campaign" last season, which saw them lose four times to their Catalan rivals and finish without a major trophy, the task of restoring Real Madrid's glory fell to Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti.

Alonso's tenure has been marked by significant defensive improvements, bolstered by the arrivals of Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Álvaro Carreras, alongside the crucial return of Éder Militão from injury. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni's stellar performances have further solidified the team's stability. Offensively, Real Madrid is flourishing, with Kylian Mbappé netting 15 goals in 12 appearances and Vinícius Júnior contributing 10 goal involvements across all competitions.

The team's impressive trajectory is highlighted by their response to a heavy 5-2 defeat against Atletico Madrid in late September. Since that loss, Los Blancos have bounced back emphatically, winning their subsequent 11 matches across all competitions. This dominant run has propelled them to the top of LaLiga, holding a two-point advantage over Barcelona going into Sunday's clash.

Alonso acknowledged the team's evolution, stating, "Without doubt, a few weeks have passed in which we have been correcting things, doing things better. We are arriving in a good moment, both in terms of morale, in a footballing sense, our competitive level – it's a good moment." He further emphasized the ongoing development: "In this process of 12 games, there has been growth. There's still room to improve, but we're just [about to reach] November. No trophies have been given out; no medals have been won. There is a long way to go this season, but right now the most important thing is [Sunday]. We only have the Clásico in our heads."

Despite the strong form, Alonso faces immense pressure in his first Clásico. Early in his tenure, the team suffered two significant defeats, including a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-final. A loss in this pivotal match would be a third major setback, leaving little room for error. Last season, Barcelona won all four encounters, including victories in the league, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España finals, adding an extra layer of motivation for Real Madrid to reverse their fortunes.

Alonso believes this season will be different, asserting, "Our project is different, it's starting. We're working on things daily, and we will try and bring forward our strengths and have a good game." This El Clásico, though early in the season, is seen as a critical opportunity for Real Madrid to re-establish their dominance, signal a return to championship-winning form, and begin their journey toward redemption.