Ivan Rakitic has performed ample to warrant a commencing berth, however, you wonder to what extent Xavi will Engage in a component. This is likely to generally be his previous El Clasico, therefore you could understand why there may very well be a bit sentiment connected to team assortment.
The sixteen-yr-aged tends to make Bellingham appear to be a gnarly veteran and he place many years on Eduardo Camavinga, who will want to verify he’s secured a place in midfield for another Clasico just after this ordeal at remaining-back again.
Barcelona are as healthful as they've been all year, with Xavi only with out extended-expression absentees Gavi and Alejandro Balde. The two young Spaniards will return to motion later this yr.
Ousmane Dembele and Pedri also are outside of competition with their own individual thigh troubles, but with a brighter note, Xavi is hopeful that Ansu Fati's bruised knee will mend in time for the main leg.
5th moment: Kounde pressing higher hustled Vinicius outside of possession and Barca have the initial corner of the match.
RW: Rodrygo - Ancelotti immediately realised his miscalculation just after starting off Rodrygo within the bench in the modern 1-one attract. The speedy winger arrived on at half-time and created a favourable effects in the final 3rd.
Carlo Ancelotti’s facet reached the semi-finals in dramatic trend on Wednesday, doing away with Manchester Metropolis in a very penalty shootout getting been to the back again foot for almost all real madrid vs barcelona lineup of the next leg at the Etihad.
Karim Benzema was remaining from the squad totally versus Shakhtar, but in addition returns for El Clasico. Vinicius Jr. was rested midweek likewise, brought from the bench for just a 33-moment midweek cameo. He now slides back into the lineup from the attack While using the battling Eden Hazard dropping on the bench.
Barcelona's shock defeat to Almeria indicates that there's even now a glimmer of hope for Real Madrid, whose 5-match winning operate in all tournaments was brought to an stop on Saturday night, and a first Copa del Rey semi-ultimate since the 2018-19 marketing campaign now lies in wait around.
With Barcelona at the moment sitting in third location and 7 details at the rear of Real Madrid in La Liga, They could have some excess inspiration to assert the silverware on Sunday, especially since they gave up a lead to lose for their rivals in October's league Assembly.
Ahead of the match, the Italian coach played up the Frenchman’s defensive qualities, so he are going to be keen to have him at his disposal to shackle Lamine Yamal, among Barcelona’s most dangerous attackers.
Barcelona have experienced to observe Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid earn the La Liga title in the last three seasons, even so the Catalan outfit are at this time in a very commanding situation at the highest with the table, boasting a 9-position advantage in excess of the reigning champions heading into the subsequent El Clasico.
Real Madrid frequently be expecting to hoover up a bunch of trophies every single time and may declare their to start with from the 2023/24 marketing campaign by beating Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana last.
fifty mins before kickoff: Andreas Christensen was suspended in midweek but he is back again in Barca's only modify, lending a more strong edge for the midfield as Pedri drops on the bench.