Are Real Madrid set for a decade of domination in Spain?

This Sunday, Liverpool will take on Manchester City at Anfield, in what will be the final edition of Pep Guardiola against Jurgen Klopp, at least in England. Arguably the best battle in the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United, and probably the most entertaining in world football since Jose Mourinho and Guardiola did battle over the Clasico divide. The question is, where are the next great battles coming from in Spain?

The big clash on Sunday will be worth tuning in for no doubt, and those who want Liverpool v Man City Tickets will no doubt find them hard to come by. For a time it looked as if Xavi Hernandez would lead Barcelona back up the mountain following their fallow years, but just months after their La Liga title, the foundations began to crack under the pressure.

Opposite them is perhaps the most frightening collection of prospects in world football: Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham. Add to that Kylian Mbappe, and Real Madrid’s job looks to be a case of maintaining and nourishing their ranks in the coming years, with Toni Kroos the last great to be replaced.

Atletico Madrid can and have competed in past years, but with the exception of their title-winning year, have looked off the pace for the most part. Antoine Griezmann is 32, and the reality is that until Los Rojiblancos work out how to build a solid backline again, it looks difficult to see them pulling off a third miracle under Diego Simeone.

Los Blancos certainly have all the pieces in place to dominate, both domestically and in Europe, especially if Kylian Mbappe arrives, who looks like the final piece of the puzzle. With the talent there, if Real Madrid can remain committed to a balanced line-up, and continue the healthy dressing room culture of recent years, they should have world at their feet.

For the Blaugrana, their rebuild can be talked about through a number of lenses, but unless they find some stability at the helm of the club, then it looks difficult for them to do much construction work while the foundations are so fragile. Laporta’s current spell has been a constant conflict played out in the media, with a squad of talented players being churned around by the personalities above them. It’s true the day is darkest before the dawn, but Barcelona must change course if Spain is to host the next great rivalry.