MX23RW : Thursday, May 23 05:34:46| >> :120:41890:41890:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 11
Oct 28, 2023 at 3.15pm UK
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
Real Madrid logo

Barcelona
1 - 2
Real Madrid

Gundogan (6')
Lopez (17'), Torres (45+2')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Bellingham (68', 90+2')
Carvajal (61')

Barcelona welcome key trio back into squad for El Clasico

Barcelona welcome key trio back into squad for El Clasico
© Reuters
Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde return to the Barcelona squad for Saturday afternoon's El Clasico.

Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde have all returned to the Barcelona squad for Saturday afternoon's El Clasico.

Barcelona head coach Xavi delayed naming his squad for the clash with Real Madrid in order to fully assess the returning players who participated in training on Friday.

Lewandowski has been out since earlier this month due to an ankle problem, but the Poland international has been deemed fit enough to be included in the squad for the key contest.

Raphinha trained on both Thursday and Friday, with the attacker back from a hamstring issue, and he has also made it for Barcelona.

Last week, there were claims that Kounde could be missing until after the November international break with a knee problem, but he was able to train on Friday and has been named in the squad.

Barcelona's Raphinha receives medical attention after sustaining an injury on September 29, 2023© Reuters

Pedri and Frenkie de Jong also trained on Friday, with the pair bidding to prove that they have fully recovered from thigh and ankle problems respectively.

However, it was always going to a long shot for the pair to make this match, and neither are in the squad.

Sergi Roberto is Barcelona's other absentee, with the experienced midfielder unavailable for selection due to a calf problem, but he should be able to return early next month.

Lewandowski is being tipped to start, which could mean that Ferran Torres drops to the bench, with Lamine Yamal and Joao Felix potentially operating in the wide areas.

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski pictures up an injury against Porto on October 4, 2023© Reuters

Felix was viewed as a doubt for this match when he limped off the field during Wednesday's Champions League contest with Shakhtar Donetsk, but he has proved his fitness.

Marc Guiu scored on his debut against Athletic Bilbao last weekend, and he is included once again, while fellow youngsters Pau Cubarsi, Hector Fort and Marc Casado also make it.

Head coach Xavi has big decisions to make all over the field, with Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez and now Kounde battling to start alongside Ronald Araujo in the middle of the defence.

Should Yamal take to the field in El Clasico, he would become the youngest-ever player to feature in the famous fixture, breaking a record which has been held for 82 years.

Barcelona squad vs. Real Madrid

Ter Stegen, Pena, Astralaga; Cancelo, Cubarsi, Christensen, Fort, Kounde, Alonso, Balde, Araujo, I Martinez; Gavi, Casado, F Lopez, Romeu, Gundogan; F Torres, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Felix, Yamal, Guiu

ID:527627:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5464:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Frenkie de Jong

Click here for more stories about Real Madrid

Game History

How you voted: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Barcelona
31.9%
Draw
18.9%
Real Madrid
49.2%
254
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal in action against Porto on October 4, 2023
Read Next:
Lamine Yamal in line to break 82-year record in El Clasico
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid37297187266194
2Barcelona37257577433482
3GironaGirona37246778463278
4Atletico MadridAtletico372341068432573
5Athletic Bilbao371811860372365
6Real Sociedad371612951371460
7Real BetisBetis37141494845356
8Villarreal371410136464052
9Valencia37139153843-548
10AlavesAlaves37129163545-1045
11Osasuna37128174455-1144
12Getafe371013144152-1143
13Sevilla371011164752-541
14Celta Vigo371010174455-1140
15Las PalmasLas Palmas37109183246-1439
16Rayo Vallecano37814152947-1838
17Mallorca37716143143-1237
RCadizCadiz37615162549-2433
RGranada3749243872-3421
RAlmeria37212233774-3718


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!