Barcelona loses 2-1 to Real Madrid amid defensive struggles

Barcelona fell 2-1 to Real Madrid on October 26, 2026, as defensive issues resurfaced. The defeat comes after Barcelona failed to address a lack of depth in center-back positions during the summer transfer window, losing Ronald Araujo and Alvaro Cortes without replacements. The team is now dealing with injuries to Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, and Eric Garcia, leaving them with fewer options defensively. The ongoing challenges in defense have led to scrutiny of sporting director Deco's recruitment strategies, especially as the club aims to compete for titles in La Liga and the Champions League.

• 9:20 AMYahoo Sports — Barcelona are paying the price for a problem they should have anticipated in the summer