The Catalan city of Montjuïc will host the El Clásico match between Barcelona and Real Madrid, for the first time, at the Luis Companis Olympic Stadium, where the two teams will compete for the top spot in the La Liga table, within the 11th round matches.
The 255th Clásico (102 victories for Real Madrid, 100 victories for Barcelona, and 52 draws) will be the first for the duo Joao at Barcelona (Cancelo and Felix), as well as for the Merengue duo, Jude Bellingham, and Kepa.
Doubts surround Barcelona in all aspects, as Xavi Hernandez, the Blaugrana coach, was suffering from 6 major absences at the beginning of the week, but now 5 of them have chances to play, although the identity of these available players has not yet been revealed.
At this time, Sergi Roberto is the only one who is completely ruled out. As for the rest of the injured, they trained today, Friday, and they are: Rafinha, Lewandowski, and Frenkie de Jong, in addition to Pedri Gonzalez and Jules Kounde.
Now it will only remain to know the decision of coach Xavi Hernandez regarding the match list in which Barcelona is looking to win and seize the lead, if Girona falters tonight in its match in the same round against Celta Vigo.
There are technical matters that must be resolved. If Xavi decides to push Araujo to monitor Vinicius, as happened in previous confrontations, he must make a decision regarding the role of Joao Cancelo, who usually plays as a right-back.
However, the Portuguese player’s versatility allows him to play in several positions, including left back, as a defensive midfielder or as a playmaker, as the coach said today.
In the midfield, Oriol Romeu’s participation will indicate many things whether he is played or not, in a place that will certainly include the duo Javi and Gundogan.
In the attack, the public will wait to see if Lewandowski will be brought on, as the international striker seems ready to go into the confrontation, and the injury he suffered was not significant, even though he has been absent because of it for several weeks and did not participate in the group training.
El Clásico comes at an appropriate time for Real Madrid. It will be held in light of the Merengue lead in La Liga, and its group in the Champions League. He put a foot forward into the round of 16, which gives him a great deal of confidence.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Royal coach, must deal with an important issue related to Camavinga’s participation and the players’ position in the match, at a time when Croatian Luka Modric will not be started. He will sit on the bench, after starting 26 out of 33 matches against Barcelona.
The decision that Ancelotti will make regarding Camavinga will affect the entire team.
If he fielded five players in the midfield, Choameni would play a key role in the defensive work, give Toni Kroos a distinctive form of performance, and Valverde contribute greatly on the physical level, which means that inserting Camavinga would push Bellingham to strengthen his position further, and Rodrigo would be the “sacrifice.” “.
Vinicius is demanding a greater role after improving his physical fitness following his muscle injury and regaining his unbalanced image to pose a major threat in the El Clásico match.
Barcelona’s formation is expected to be as follows:
Goalkeeper: Ter Stegen.
Defense: Cancelo, Araujo, Christensen, Balde.
Midfield: Romeu, Gundogan, Javi.
Attack: Lamin, Lewandowski, Joao Felix.
The expected Real Madrid lineup is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Kepa.
Defense: Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy (or Camavinga).
Midfield: Chouamini, Kroos, Fede Valverde, Bellingham.
Attack: Vinicius, Rodrigo.
