Catalans beat Blancos in economic Clasico

Barcelona have landed the first blow in the build-up to the Clasico. The Catalans host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on December 3 and while they may not be ahead of their fiercest rivals in La Liga at the moment, they hold the advantage in economic terms.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the Catalan club declared revenues of of €679 million for the 2015-16 season, an increase of 7.2 per cent on the €633m estimate from the previous year, as they completed a Liga and Copa del Rey double last term.

Madrid's estimated income was €581m, but Los Blancos ultimately took home €620m - an increase of 6.7% - after winning the Champions League.

The projected income for both teams in 2016-17 is along the same lines, with Barca expected to amass a total of €695m and Madrid around €620m.

If the figures are confirmed by Deloitte, it will be the first time the Catalan club have beaten their rivals in terms of income over a full season, with Los Blancos topping the multinational firm's famous rich list for the past 11 years.